The Fijian Drua, anchored at the bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, have once again played the role of spoilers—this time toppling the Queensland Reds 36-33 in a thrilling try-fest in Suva.
The Reds appeared poised to secure their first-ever win in the Fijian capital, leading with just a minute remaining. But super-sub Isikeli Rabitu powered over for a last-gasp match-winner with only 52 seconds left on the clock, stunning the visitors on Saturday.
Reds coach Les Kiss—also set to take charge of the Wallabies—had declared the match a “must-win” as his fourth-placed team pushed for a top-three finish and a crucial home final. Kiss’s tension was evident as he nervously paced the coaching box during a rollercoaster contest.
In a bruising, energy-sapping match dominated by the forwards—who accounted for nine of the 11 tries—the lead changed hands seven times at HFC Bank Stadium. The Drua, who outscored the Reds six tries to five but missed four conversions, arguably earned the result on effort and execution.
The dramatic finish was set up when Reds co-captain Fraser McReight received a yellow card, reducing his team to 14 men for the final 90 seconds—enough time for the Drua to snatch the win. The result leaves the Reds winless in three visits to Suva and back in a scrap to secure a top-six spot, with crucial away derbies looming against the Waratahs and Brumbies.
The Reds made a strong start, with fullback Jock Campbell sprinting over early after Drua winger Taniela Rakuro opened the scoring in the fifth minute. But the Drua hit back when flanker Etonia Waqa exposed a lapse on the short side, shrugging off winger Tim Ryan to score an easy try.
The home side had also gone over through Rakuro and prop Mesake Doge, sandwiching Campbell’s effort, but couldn’t convert their opportunities. Richie Asiata, standing in for injured Wallaby Matt Faessler, scored his fifth try in six games to bring Queensland within a point. Then, Fijian-born flanker Seru Uru crossed on the left to give the Reds a 19-15 lead at halftime.
Firing out of the break, the Drua regained the momentum with powerful tries from lock Mesake Vocevoce and flanker Isoa Tuwai to storm ahead 29-19. The Reds responded with tries from forwards Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Max Craig.
But it was Rabitu who had the final word, handing the Reds a painful blow to their finals ambitions—just two weeks after the Drua also upset the Waratahs on home turf.
