Queensland Reds remain winless in Suva after last-gasp try snatches victory for Fijian Drua

News.com.au

03-05-2025

The Reds remain without a Super Rugby Pacific win in Suva after a last-gasp try from replacement Isikeli Rabitu secured Fijian Drua an upset 36-33 victory over Queensland.
In last place on the ladder with just two wins heading into Saturday's match, the Drua again proved too strong on home soil for the Queenslanders, who have lost on their three visits to Suva since the Fijian outfit's introduction into Super Rugby.
A 72nd-minute try from replacement Reds hooker Max Craig in his Super Rugby debut gave the Reds a crucial late lead.
However, they couldn't hold on, with Rabitu scoring from close range in the final minute soon after Queensland had been reduced to 14 men after the sin-binning of star flanker Fraser McReight.
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SCENES IN SUVA 🤩 #SuperRugbyPacific #DRUvRED pic.twitter.com/DH3Iiq3yiC
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 3, 2025
The defeat was the Reds' fourth from 10 games this season and was a blow to their chances of hosting a finals match.
Reds captain Tate McDermott said his side paid the price for poor defence in the six-tries-to-five loss.
'We missed too many tackles,' McDermott said.
'We let them score too easily too many times. Against a team like the Drua, you give them that much time and space to do whatever they want with the ball, they're going to make you pay.'
McDermott said a bonus point in defeat was 'better than nothing'.
'It's not all doom and gloom. We've got an important game next week against the Waratahs and then one against the Brumbies, but we'll take it one week at a time,' the star halfback said.
The Drua started impressively, with winger Taniela Rakuro crossing over out wide in the eighth minute after the hosts created an overlap that included decisive passes from hooker Zuriel Togiatama and outside centre Vuate Karawalevu.
However, the Reds were quick to bounce back, with fullback Jock Campbell making the most of superb off-load from Queensland's Fiji-born flanker Seru Uru.
Magic pass from Seru Uru ðŸ°' #SuperRugbyPacific #DRUvRED pic.twitter.com/rwuk3DJ0GE
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 3, 2025
But the hosts didn't drop their heads, making the most of poor defence from Queensland pair Joe Brial and Tim Ryan to score the game's next two tries through prop Mesake Doge and powerful flanker Etonia Waqa.
However, the Drua's failure to convert any of their three opening tries restricted their lead to 15-7.
The seesawing nature of the first-half was to continue, with the Reds tries to hooker Richie Asiata and Uru ensuring Queensland led 19-15 at halftime.
The Drua regained the lead early in the second-half when lock Mesake Vocevoce powered his way over the line under the goalposts, with an easy conversion from fullback Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula putting the hosts 22-19 ahead.
Poor handling and ill-discipline from the Reds proved costly again in the 55th minute when the Drua scored again through flanker Isoa Tuwai.
The Reds then replied six minutes later through replacement prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen to narrow the Drua's lead, before Craig's try, and subsequent conversion from replacement fly half Tom Lynagh, put them ahead by four points.
However, Rabitu's converted try broke Reds' hearts and thrilled jubilant home fans.