A commanding performance by Moana Pasifika in the first half led to their 40-26 victory over the Fijian Drua at Lautoka’s Churchill Park. Captain Miracle Fai’ilagi played a pivotal role for Moana, scoring two tries before the half-time break.
Moana Pasifika’s superiority was evident in their forward pack, which effectively controlled the middle of the field and excelled in contact situations. The Fijian Drua struggled to find their rhythm initially, with debutant half-back Issak Fines-Leileiwasa facing challenges in providing quality ball from the rucks, hampering his defensive efforts against Moana’s powerful forwards.
Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa emerged as a dominant force for Moana, making strong runs from set pieces. By half-time, Moana had scored four tries compared to the Drua’s two, establishing a significant 28-12 lead.
The Drua’s Virimi Vakatawa showed resilience in midfield, showcasing his skills as a recent addition to the team. In the second half, Moana Pasifika maintained their momentum, with Fai’ilagi adding another impressive try early on. However, the Drua began to fight back, aided by the introduction of experienced halfback Frank Lomani, which sparked a change in momentum.
With the score at 33-19, the Drua pushed for a comeback, but despite their efforts, the Moana Pasifika defense held strong. Fly-half Patrick Pellegrini directed play adeptly, utilizing tactical kicking to control the game’s tempo.
A long-range kick from Ponipate Loganimasi set up another scoring opportunity for the Drua, who capitalized through a successful lineout and scored under the posts. With only ten minutes remaining, the Drua found themselves just one converted try away from leveling the match. However, Moana Pasifika sealed their victory with a final try from replacement flanker Ofa Tauatevalu, concluding the match with a score of 40-26.
This victory not only reflects Moana Pasifika’s skill and strategy but also suggests promising potential for future matches as they continue to develop their team dynamics and capitalize on player strengths.