In the tropical Lautoka, the Fijian Drua delivered a thunderous 39-36 Super Rugby Pacific victory that crushed the hearts of the NSW Waratahs.
Seven minutes into golden-point extra time, Kemu Valetini made a field goal to steal victory from the Waratahs, who had appeared set to get revenge for two humiliating two-point losses at home against the Highlanders and Blues.
On Saturday, the Tahs overcame intense heat and a 16-point deficit in the second half to set up the tense extra time session in temperatures that surpassed 30 degrees at Churchill Park.
In Churchill Park, Lautoka: Waratahs 36 (Vailanu 3, Walton, Charlie Gamble tries); Tane Edmed 4 con, pen; Fijian Drua 39 (Iosefo Masi 3 Tevita Ikanivere, Frank Lomani tries); Armstrong-Rauvla 4 con, pen; Kemu Valetini dg). HT: 26–10.
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Fijian Drua celebrate dramatic win over the Waratahs
In sudden death extra time on Saturday, Kemu Valetini’s drop goal helped the Fijian Drua defeat the New South Wales Waratahs 39–36 in Super Rugby.
At fulltime at Lautoka, the scores were tied 36–36, but in the ninth minute of extra time, the Drua secured their first-ever triumph over the Australian team.
Following scrum-half Peni Matawalu’s early yellow card early in the extra time session, the home team played with 14 men as they surged downfield and Valetini scored the game-winning three points.
After defeating the reigning champion Canterbury Crusaders two weeks prior, it was the Drua’s second significant victory at home this season.
Iosefo Masi, a midfield player, scored a hat-trick in the first half to give the Drua a 26-10 lead at the break.
Therefore, the Waratahs had a big one-man edge when the Drua lost replacement halfback Peni Matawalu to the sin bin for a brain explosion at the ruck early in golden point.
Unfortunately, Tane Edmed, who is five feet eight inches tall, missed his own drop goal attempt. Valetini then completed the historic first-ever Drua triumph over the Waratahs.
The Pacific Islanders have not won any of their four prior encounters with NSW. Fiji Drua snap dropped goal to beat Waratahs
As seen by their surprise attack against the reigning champion Crusaders in round two, Churchill Park, also referred to as the Drua’s “16th man,” is becoming a formidable barrier for visiting teams.