The Queensland Reds scraped through to a quarterfinal against the table topping Chiefs after Brad Thorn’s side lost to the Drua 41-17 in Suva on Saturday.
The result saw the Drua leapfrog the Reds into seventh spot, meaning Thorn’s side needed a weakened Chiefs beating to beat the Force in Perth to qualify for the finals.
Not helping their cause was the fact Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan made a dozen changes to his side, with the Waikato-based side wrapping up top spot on the Super Rugby standings last weekend with victory over the Brumbies. But the Chiefs B team were superb, rolling the Chiefs 43-19.
Selestino Ravutaumada was one of the Drua’s best during his side’s important win over the Reds to make the Super Rugby finals on June 3, 2023, in Suva. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
For the Drua, it was an afternoon of celebration for Mick Byrne’s side who sealed their finals place with an outstanding victory under pressure in front of a packed crowd at HFC Bank Stadium.
After the score was locked at 17-all at half-time, the Reds crumbled under a wave of pressure as they failed to score a point in the second half.
In stark contrast, Byrne’s Drua scored three converted tries.
Joseva Tamani’s runaway try from yet another turnover from the Reds sealed the deal, as he allowed the already raucous crowd to celebrate wildly in the closing stages.
Reds skipper Tate McDermott lamented his side’s inability to stay with the Drua, who grew in confidence as the match went on.
“Obviously a real tough second half,” he said. “I was proud of the effort in the first half, but we were nowhere where we needed to be in that second half.
“Awesome atmosphere. You’re pretty lucky to have fans like you do over here and obviously cheered their team home and made them play pretty well.”
The mood was different in the Drua camp, who claimed back-to-back victories to seal their historic maiden finals campaign.
“The boys are happy, you can see how happy we are right now. But hats off to the supporters behind me for paying their duty today,” skipper Meli Derenalagi said.
“A big thank you to our fans who came out in numbers today to support their home team, the Fiji Drua, who have been behind us and supporting us throughout this season. It’s been enjoyable for the boys behind me. That’s why they played their hearts out today.”
Little went right for the Reds, with very few of their big men having much of an impact.
Needing to silence the home crowd early, their hopes weren’t helped when Jock Campbell kicked out on the full from the kick-off.
While the Reds initially survived, another two poor kicks – the first from Josh Flook who gifted away possession and the second from Filpo Daugunu, who failed to clear his line and was charged down – saw the Drua strike as the brilliant Selestino Ravutaumada was rewarded from a quality kick of his own and an even better kick-chase.
The Reds hit back immediately through Ryan Smith, but the score was going at a point-a-minute when Kalaveti Ravouvou scored after a big overlap out wide following a maul.
Fraser McReight once again hit back for the Reds when he helped put the visitors in front after some dominance at the rolling maul, before James O’Connor, who struggled in the wet and greasy conditions, extended the lead with a penalty.
But Vilive Miramira’s try after a clever kick from Iosefo Masi saw the Drua lock up the score at half-time.
The turning point in the game came after an early penalty to the Drua.
From the kick restart, openside flanker Vilive Miramira shrugged away Daugunu and got the home side back on the front foot. Their pressure and field position was helped when Frank Lomani’s box kick was spilt by O’Connor, before the Drua broke away out wide.
With all the momentum, the Drua camped inside the Reds’ attacking zone. The pressure led to McReight being shown a yellow card for back-to-back penalties.
Eventually the Drua struck, as Mesake Doge burst his way over.
While the Reds were still in it, an overthrown lineout by Matt Faessler saw his opposite Tevita Ikanivere pounce and score to blow open the match.
The Reds had their chances in the final quarter of the match but failed to gain any ascendency, as the Drua’s physical pack forced the visitors into errors.
Their last sealed the Drua’s path to the finals, as Tamani broke away and scored a runaway try.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Why win then I guess. In fact why try? Its just a nothing then. Yet you have a 5 team domestic comp as part of your SR revamp. Then you have a 3 team crossover against NZ teams. So your Aus domestic comp wouldn't actually have a winner? It would purely be to select 3 teams from the 5 to play the NZ teams?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Because it wasn’t really a domestic comp, Jacko. It was an international provincial comp ‘edited’ down to 5 local teams to please the superannuated storytellers/fear merchants who swindled us with their faux ‘health’ policy, based on wildly inaccurate ‘modelling’ and other fairytales. The comp was as well designed as the health policy, meaning- it wasn’t.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
The depth is terrible and the starters aren't flash either. Who will get picked in the RC squad? Probably Wilson, Fraser and Tate. I think The only one in the matchday 23 is Fraser ( in form better than Hoops). The cupboard is pretty bare and Cordingly needs to go shopping to refill the pantry ! Sam certainly should be under the pump.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
I know what Eddie is thinking if You DON'T play in super Rugby your value to the Wallabies just went up..Giteau law to be abolished perhaps that's the friction with Eddie latest riddle.Hamish I can't work with this lot who else is playing overseas heard Giteau just finished playing in los Angeles is he available..
AussieBob
Roar Rookie
Where is Jimbo and the Ferret?
AussieBob
Roar Rookie
Plenty of muppets on here Chiv
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yes that's 100% correct. QC was told he wasn't welcome at the Reds but chose not to go to the Rebels that year, but stated publicly he would be trying to earn wallaby selection from club rugby. Probably just another decision he got badly wrong.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Well Ken when do you celebrate in pro sport if you don't recognise a win? Maybe Aus fans should think about that because all we get is how bad rugby in Aus is when you lose and then you don't bother enjoying the wins. Why does your SR replacement option strongly involve a domestic comp of you don't value its result?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Do your homework and you will realise bo more or less players left or were signed by the Reds in BTs time than at any other clubs in that same time. Just this years Reds squad had the smallest turnover of all Aus SR sides.
Angus
Roar Rookie
Well written
W Evans
Roar Rookie
Totally disagree - Slipper was a veteran servant of the game as was Cooper. Other coaches have turned them around, why couldn’t Thorn? Would Rodda, Kerevi, Tupou and Lukhan have made these decisions if say McKellar had been Reds coach- there have long been suggestions of rifts with Thorn. Those 6 players aren’t just natural ‘turnover’, they are foundation players, key veterans that turned out to be irreplaceable. Akin to the Brumbies losing AAA, Frost, Lolesio, Ikitau all in 3 seasons.
KTinHK
Roar Pro
I’d like to have a dollar for every try Vunivalu has let in down his wing. So often out of position in defence at critical times, floundering around in a ruck somewhere doing something useless rather than facing up to his responsibility which is to mark his opposite number. Everyone else scrambling to cover for him. Major liability in defence and adding zero to the attack. Feel sorry for Thorn who appears to have been instructed from on high to start him every game. Send Vunivalu back to clubland and let him re-gain his confidence there. He’s a mess.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
We can’t have this ! The Haemmor will have to recruit more Islanders . Or we could get behind the Islander teams and be part of it ! Let’s have some sponsors !
Adsa
Roar Rookie
'super inconsistent approach' - yep
Toulouse Lautrec
Roar Rookie
Great to “back the players” but when they’re well short of required ability it doesn’t make sense. Of those recruits Lynagh is a legacy for the reds, JOC is a Qlder and reds man, Peni is rubbish and was a desperate call to cover Thor and Luke Jones was a complete bust. Recruitment has been a complete misfire.
Matt
Roar Rookie
5 wins for a season and that makes the playoffs, ridiculous
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I think the issue is it’s a policy of recruiting within. Except when it isn’t (eg. Lynagh, Luke Jones, Peni Ravai, JOC). Hard to respect the super inconsistent approach and doesn’t even make the players feel they are being backed because they’ll make some left field recruitment out of nowhere anyway.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Drua are hard to beat at home so not a shock really. Rolled the crusaders earlier in the year.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well if you want to go before that you have to consider 2018 and 2019 when the Waratahs finished above the Refs again. It’s solely Super Rugby AU in 2020 and 2021 where the reds performed.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Took them to the top of the domestic league once. That season had 2 of 5 teams play on tour all year due to covid.