Fijian Drua deny Bond University Queensland Country back-to-back NRC titles

Bond University Queensland Country have fallen short of consecutive National Rugby Championship titles, after the side suffered a 36-26 loss in the Grand Final against the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.

The stands and sidelines of Churchill Park were filled to capacity, with the locals undeterred by the rain to turn out in their masses to see their home side overcome the defending premiers by ten-points, outscoring Country five tries to four.

Country refused to roll over despite the challenging conditions and raucous Fijian crowd, the side remaining within a converted try of the Drua until the final minute.

After some bruising Drua defence in the opening minutes it was Country who found the line first, Chris Feauai-Sautia the try-scorer in the left-hand corner. Hamish Stewart missed the tough conversion leaving Country ahead 5-nil after six minutes of play.

The Drua hit back with a try of their own to Eramasi Radrodro in the 10th minute, before Apisalome Waqatabu’s conversion gave the side a 7-5 lead.

The home side soon stretched their lead to seven through Peni Naulago, after the number-eight burrowed his way through the defence to score in the 20th minute.

Country equalled the score through Jordan Petaia at the half hour mark, the young centre dragging a number of Fijian defenders across the line with him to score his 10th try of the season. Stewart added the extras to equalise the score, 12-all.

The Drua soon regained their lead, the Fijians charging for 23 phases through the middle of the Country defensive line before Albert Tuisue crossed to score. Waqatabu converted to hand his side a seven-point at the half-time break.

The Drua continued their strong form in the second half, as Tuisue crossed for his second try in the 50th minute to put the score out to 26-12.

Country responded almost instantly through Filipo Daugunu, with the star winger crossing to score the side’s third try. Stewart nailed the conversion to bring Country within seven at 26-19.

Fiji scored next through flyhalf Alifereti Veitokani, with Waqatabu’s fourth conversion giving the Drua a 14-point lead with 20 minutes to play.

With just ten minutes remaining Country hit back for their fourth try, after a rolling maul sent young hooker Efi Ma’afu over close to the right corner post. Hamish Stewart made no mistake with the clutch conversion to bring his side within a converted try at 33-26 within the dying minutes of the second try. 

Country were unable to break through the Drua defence to steal victory at the death, before a Veitokani penalty goal sealed the Fijian’s first NRC title with a 36-26 win.

Queensland Country head coach Rod Seib said: “Today’s match was always going to be tough in the wet, and with their sizeable forward pack the Drua played to the conditions and came out on top.

“Momentum shifted throughout the match and our boys were in the contest for the full 80 minutes, but credit to the Fijians, they fed off their home crowd and played a great game.

“I’m really proud of the way our team has performed throughout the season. Today they showed a lot of character to stay in the match until the very end.

“They’ve shown a lot of maturity and progression throughout the season, and were deserving of a place in the grand final. 

“We have a lot of young talent within this side, which will bode well for Queensland Rugby moving forward. We have players who will be heading into their first and second seasons of Super Rugby with the Reds, who will have benefited from being part of our campaign in 2018,” Seib added.

Fijian Drua 36 (Radrodro, Naulago, Tuisue 2, Veitokani tries. Conversions: Waqatabu 4, Penalties: Veitokani) defeated Bond University Queensland Country 26 (Feauai-Sautia, Petaia, Daugunu, Ma’afu tries. Conversions: Stewart 3) at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji on Saturday 27 October 2018.