Moana Pasifika showcased a dominant performance, overpowering the Fijian Drua with a scoreline of 40-26 at Lautoka’s Churchill Park. The match was defined by an impressive first half from Moana Pasifika, where captain Miracle Fai’ilagi played a crucial role, scoring two tries.
The strength of Moana’s forward pack proved essential, as they controlled the contact areas and outmuscled their opponents. In contrast, the Fijian Drua struggled to find their rhythm early in the game, with debutant half-back Issak Fines-Leileiwasa facing challenges in both delivering reliable ball from the rucks and defending against the aggressive Moana forwards.
Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa emerged as a force for Moana Pasifika, effectively driving play forward from scrum-based situations. The visitors capitalized on their momentum, accumulating four tries in the first half compared to the two scored by the Drua, leading to a halftime score of 28-12.
Though the Drua’s Virimi Vakatawa held steady in the midfield, his efforts were not enough to offset the pressure from Moana Pasifika. The second half saw Moana continuing their offensive, with Fai’ilagi adding another try to his tally shortly after the break. The Drua responded with a score from fullback Ilaisa Droasese, and the introduction of seasoned halfback Frank Lomani seemed to breathe new life into their play.
As the score stood at 33-19, it looked as though the Drua could mount a comeback. However, Moana Pasifika’s defense held strong, while fly-half Patrick Pellegrini expertly controlled the game, particularly with his tactical kicking. Despite the Drua’s persistence, exemplified by a long-range kick from Ponipate Loganimasi leading to another score, they could not close the gap.
With just ten minutes remaining, Moana Pasifika solidified their lead with a final try from replacement flanker Ofa Tauatevalu, concluding the match at 40-26. This victory highlights Moana Pasifika’s continued growth in performance and strategic execution, demonstrating their potential in the competition.