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.
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.
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.”
Big A
Roar Rookie
Compared to Donno last night I thought Carter played ok
Dermot Duncan
Roar Rookie
Agreed: ref also played a very short “advantage” for rebels. I that Ione’s defence was very poor.
ols
Roar Pro
Felt like measuring the field, can't blame Fiji altitude.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Rebels tactically beaten. Tried to come out and play their game, which played right into the Drua’s hands. When they adjusted, execution errors (how many kicks went dead?) cost them, but if they’d come out and tried to slow the Drua down they wouldn’t have found themselves in a position that saw them trying to score quick points, when the best way was patience and wearing the Drua down
Viking
Roar Rookie
The Drua in Fiji continue to show what a great move to include them in SRP. Fiji could be dangerous in their RWC pool. Hopefully the Wallabies should know what to expect after playing the Drua in SRP. Which begs the question - why aren’t Moana Pasifika playing out of Samoa/Tonga? Playing out of Auckland feels like just another NZ team and doesn’t benefit Samoa and Tonga like the Drua have Fiji.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Surly at the WC Eddie will find 10 min against a minnow team when we are up by 90
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
May as well give Hodge a run at 9. He's played every other position in the backline.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Also don't play them at home :laughing:
WEST
Roar Guru
The Drua in Drua are a menace! That crowd is tough to beat.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Let’s see how the Tahs do against the Dura in Fiji.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Hodge is only a decent stand in at 13. Good for him to be learning it more for when he provides cover for the wallabies but I would never want to see him start a test there.
Kai Levuka
Roar Rookie
I actually thought he wasn’t too bad considering the overall performance. Tried things and was very brave.
Kai Levuka
Roar Rookie
I thought Carter Gordon had a very good game. Very brave and had quite a bit of variety. Tough game.
Nuance
Roar Rookie
Well not a huge amount to analyze. The game was all about that Drua start. 12 points in 4 mins and win by 10. Pretty simple. The Drua are like that mate who can either sink every ball on the pool table or none. Today was just 'their day' in their own backyard. Apart from being unhappy with a 'L' I don't think the Rebels should feel too bad actually. In the 2nd half they brought their structures and easily won that half despite the damage having been done. Oppressive energy-zapping humidity and a slippery pill too much to overcome being that far down. Rebels of old lose that by 40 - 50. Uelese is a liability. Rennie got it right dropping him from the WBs. That crooked throw 10m out from the Drua line, late 2nd half may have been the game? Score then??? This won't be the last AU/ NZ team that loses on this ground this season...
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Oddly, it was the Tahs who showed how to beat the Drua. Don't over commit, keep your defensive system, give them nothing to feed off. The Rebs form is the opposite of that and I'm a bit disappointed the coaching team didn't think that through, especially in Fiji when you want to take the air out of the ball to mitigate the heat and humidity.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Loving Carter so def no knocker but fairly ordinary game let’s not kid ourselves…Wilkin tried his guts out for not much return and Kellaway return was test material .The Reds and Rebels carry a few who just aren’t up too this level and it stuffs everything up.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Reds, Josh Canham is a real prospect, played more minutes than he should have last season and didn't wilt. He just needed the added mass that a few seasons generates.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Not a bad thing though Bobby. Might be what they need tonmake the next step up.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Agree, but a game they will learn from including Carter.
mrl
Roar Rookie
Bulla!!! Beautiful.