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Drua deliver another statement to visiting Super sides as Rebels crash in Suva

1st April, 2023
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1st April, 2023
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The Melbourne Rebels travelled to Suva looking to record two wins on the bounce. Instead, they conceded two tries in four minutes against the Drua to see the Fijian crowd immediately find their voice and forget about the horrors of last week.

Less than a month after knocking over the Crusaders at Churchill Park, the Drua, who were smashed 57-24 by the Highlanders a week ago, once again delivered a timely reminder that anyone heading to Fiji will have their work cut out for them.

In a helter-skelter match, the Drua ran out to a 33-7 lead at half-time and thanks to a series of bombed opportunities in the attacking 22 in the second half, the Rebels never quite looked like getting back into the match as the home side won 38-28 to record their third win from six matches.

Rebels captain Brad Wilkin lamented his side’s slow start, which saw fullback Ilaisa Droasese finish off a quality team try and Selestino Ravutaumada intercept a pass from Monty Ioane on the Rebels’ 10m line to score.

“Fiji Drua just got out to a really got start,” Wilkin said.

“We knew they would, but we just didn’t aim up in the contact zone and we allowed them to play the rugby that they want to play.”

The Rebels had their chances right the way throughout the match.

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Despite conceding two early tries, the Rebels showed good continuity in the 10th minute by stringing together more than 10 phases around the Drua’s 22m line. But, as it proved right the way through the match, simple balls were either dropped cold or pushed.

In many ways, the Rebels, whose attack has been a major improvement in 2023 where they’ve played with speed and skill, played into the Drua’s hand by failing to slow the home side down.

The Rebels tried turning the home side around, but found the dead ball line too many times.

It eventually came back to bite them, as back-rower Vilive Miramira scored shortly after both Reece Hodge and Carter Gordon kicked dead to open up a 19-0 lead after as many minutes.

Hooker Alex Mafi, who could be a bolter for Eddie Jones’ Wallabies squad on Sunday, stemmed the bleeding when he crossed under the posts after 22 minutes.

But the Drua hit back hard, with inside centre Kalaveti Ravouvou putting his midfield partner Iosefo Masi through a hole with a subline short ball to score.

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Ravouvou was at it again minutes as he got away a phenomenal offload to flanker Kitione Salawa to open up the 33-7 lead after 30 minutes.

The Rebels outscored the Drua 21-5 in the second half, as Andrew Kellaway, Gordon and Pone Fa’amausili scored.

But desperation got the better of the visitors in the second as passes were pushed and balls dropped.

Selestino Ravutaumada scored an early try against the Rebels on April 1, 2023, in Suva. Photo: Pita Simpson/Getty Images

The Rebels must bounce quickly, with Wilkin’s side to take on the Blues next week at home and the Crusaders a fortnight later after a bye.

Asked what they must improve on, Wilkin said the Rebels had to improve their defence and breakdown work to stand a chance against the Blues at home.

“A little bit similar, they’re good in unstructured play as well,” he said. “We’ve just got to tighten things up, especially in and around our defence and our breakdown work. We’ve just got to move on quickly. Very tough trip to come and play in front of this electrifying crowd.”

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