(file image) Photo: Fijian Drua Media
Drua shifts focus to Force
The Fijian Drua kept their home record intact this year with 39-36 win over the Waratahs in sudden-death in Lautoka on Saturday.
Replacement Kemu Valetini was the hero after he kicked a drop goal in extra time to give the Fijians their second win in front of thousands of local fans.
Drua had led 33-17 mid-way into the second half but dropped in defense as the Waratahs turned up the pressure and fought back to level terms at 36-all minutes before fulltime.
Drua's outside centre Iosefo Masi scored a hat-trick in the game.
Head coach Mick Bryne said they now turn to the Western Force, who they also will meet in Lautoka this weekend.
Byrne said discipline will be an area they will need to focus on as Force flyhalf Ben Donaldson was on song with his kicks in the team's upset 40-31 win over the Reds at the weekend.
Drua Flanker Kitione Salawa and halfback Peni Matawalu were yellow-carded in the game and the Waratahs took advantage as they scored points while the duo were out of the field.
"We just have to work hard and put our systems in a bit of pressure and we saw the Fijian style, we found a way to do it," he said.
"It wasn't as structured or composed but we got young men out on the field and I thought they handled it really well. It's a good learning curve for us but I thought the effort was there."
The Drua have placed eighth for the first time in the competition this year, outplacing Moana Pasifika with a better points difference.
Meanwhile, the defending champions Crusaders are at the bottom of the points table with five losses so far, their worst record in the history of Crusaders rugby.
They lost 26-6 to the Blues in Auckland on Saturday.
Moana lose big to Brumbies
Moana Pasifika could not replicate their winning performance against the Western Force a week ago when they met the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night, losing 62-21.
Although No 8 Lotu Inisi and winger Kyren Taumoefolau had scored good tries, the side were left to grasp thin air most of the time as the Brumbies went to work in the 80 minutes game.
The Brumbies ran in a total of nine tries in the match.
Moana are now two wins and three losses after five rounds of matches.
Moana Pasifika are now on ninth position on the points table.
Full results: Hurricanes 54 Rebels 28, Brumbies 60 Moana Pasifika 21, Fijian Drua 39 Waratahs 36, Chiefs 28 Highlanders 21, Blues 26 Crusaders 6, Force 40 Reds 31
Fijiana Drua thrashed
The New South Wales Waratahs thrashed the Fijiana Drua with a huge 62-21 win in their Super Rugby Women's championship match in Lautoka on Saturday.
Waratahs scored 10 tries to consolidate top spot on the ladder and turn the tables on the Drua after two painful finals losses to the Pacific Islanders.
The Tahs had their four-year title streak ended by the Drua in the 2022 decider, before slipping up again in last year's semis after finishing the regular season as undefeated minor premiers.
Their hunger for redemption was on full display on Saturday.
Fijiana Drua take on Western Force in their third round match in Lautoka this weekend.
They are defending the Super W title for the second time this year, following their title wins in 2022 and 2023.
Full results: ACT Brumbies 24 Melbourne Rebels 22, Waratahs 62 Fijiana Drua 21, Western Force 24 Reds 14
SOCCER
Auckland United claim OFC Women's Champions League
Auckland United have won their first ever OFC Women's Champions League title, following a narrow 1-0 victory over Hekari United in the final in Honiara on Saturday.
Bree Johnson's strike after 25 minutes was the difference maker, as the New Zealand side held on to ensure they return home with their hands on the trophy, OFC reported.
The two sides looked to impose themselves on one another early on - Hekari United keen to go one better than last year when they finished runners-up to AS Academy Féminine, Auckland United vying to become the first ever New Zealand winners.
United had an early chance gifted to them through a failed clearance in the fourth minute, rebounding off Bree Johnson's shins, with Rene Wasi the fastest to react to the loose ball, but no one could take advantage of her low ball across the six yard box.
Just before the half hour mark and Auckland United found what would prove to be the decisive breakthrough.
Rene Wasi's cross from deep ricocheted innto the path of Johnson and the forward's pace allowed her to nick the ball past the onrushing Fidelma Watpore, allowing a comfortable side-footed finish into the unguarded net.
Down by one but certainly not out, Hekari United came close to an equaliser through a sustained period of pressure.
Initiated by captain Marie Kaipu just after the cooling break, the Papua New Guinea international striker was closed down quickly by an attentive Auckland defence packing out the box, and her teammates were unable to find a way though.
Moments later, the Papua New Guinea champions came close again, with Phylis Pala's looping cross batted away by Amberley Hollis, all too aware of the lurking Kaipu. The resultant corner struck the upright, causing chaos in the box but Auckland were able to eventually clear their lines and survive.
The Kiwi champions thought they had a second through the combination of Johnson and Wasi again, with the latter winning possession in midfield and taking off down the right flank. Her inch-perfect ball was latched onto by Johnson, who was flagged offside in a close call.
Jubilation at the final whistle for the Kiwi side, as they make history as the first side from New Zealand to win the OFC Women's Champions League.
Samoa qualify for OFC Men's Nations Cup
Samoa will compete at the OFC Men's Nations Cup 2024 in June, to be hosted by the Solomon Islands, after they pipped Cook Islands 1-0 on Saturday in Nuku'alofa.
Va'a Taualai score the winner in the 88th minute as Samoa finally managed to break the stubborn Cooks defense.
Samoa entered their final match of the tournament against the Cook Islands knowing a win would be enough to clinch qualification after their opening day 4-1 victory over hosts Tonga.
OFC said two teams started the match at a frantic pace on the wet surface but neither side was able to cut through and assert their dominance as the ball pinged about at an incredible pace.
Played with plenty of intensity, the two nations were relentless in their tackles. Samoa's Kaleb de Groot-Green felt it firsthand, upended in a tackle by Harlem Simiona, that lead to pushing and shoving from both sides.
The Cook Islands split the Samoan defence open in the 16th minute with Rangi Moore sneaking behind the backline, before turning and shooting, only for the assistant referee to raise his flag and put a halt to proceedings.
The best chance of the half came in the 34th minute for the Samoans. A great cross from Tumua saw Andrew Setefano get his head on to the end of it only for Ngereine Maro to produce a save and deny the captain an opening goal.
Samoa looked threatening at set piece time and just before the break a great free-kick into the box was met by de Groot-Green, who headed just wide, as the first-half ended goalless.
Since his arrival on the pitch, substitute Taualai had been the team's bright spark, and he would duly have the final say in the 88th minute. With a free-kick on the left side of the box, the midfielder curled a stunning shot, clipping the inside the far post and nestling in the goal to give his side a decisive lead and qualification for the OFC Men's Nations Cup 2024 in June.
Papua New Guinea claim draw
Papua New Guinea managed a 0-0 draw with Sri Lanka at the Race Course International Stadium in Colombo, as part of the FIFA Series friendly internationals on Saturday morning (NZ Time).
OFC reported Warren Moon's side, who will also take on Central African Republic next week, were well organised and hard-working in their performance as they continue their preparations for the OFC Men's Nations Cup 2024 in Vanuatu later this year.
The draw represents a positive first result of the year for Papua New Guinea, who were looking rebound from their defeat to Tahiti in the Playoff for 5th place at last year's South Pacific Games in Solomon Islands.
Meanwhile, New Zealand suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Sri Lanka in their opening match of the FIFA Series at the New Administrative Capital Stadium in Cairo.
A first-half penalty from Mostafa Mohamed was enough to ensure victory for the side ranked 36th in the FIFA Men's Ranking.
Next up for Darren Bazeley's team will be a match-up against the losing side from tomorrow's encounter between Tunisia and Croatia.
Rewa beats Labasa
Striker Epeli Valevou gave Rewa a 2-1 win over Labasa at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori on Sunday afternoon in a Fiji Football Association premier league game.
FBC said Valevou scored a goal in each half while Netani Suluka netted the lone goal for the Babasiga Lions in the opening spell.
The win sees the Delta Tigers acquire three points, moving them to the top of the Fiji Premier League points table.
Vanuatu club set for futsal
The Universite Nationale de Vanuatu (UNV) Futsal Club is set to make some waves at the Oceania Futsal Championship in Noumea, New Caledonia, in April.
Vanuatu Daily Post reported the club has solidified their status as the top futsal club in Vanuatu.
The club is calling on fans, the public, and business houses to support them with logistics, uniforms, training equipment, and kits for the championship.
Head Coach Cedric Quari said they are confident of a good showing at the Oceania meet.
"I believe that with the dedication shown by the boys, we can achieve a good outcome at the Oceania Futsal Championship this year."
RUGBY LEAGUE
Cowboys lead NRL
The Cowboys lead the National Rugby League competition following their 46-24 win over the Dragons on Saturday.
That win gave them three straight victories after round three of the competition.
Knights held off a late Storm surge to open their 2024 account on home soil with a 14-12 victory on Sunday, while the Eels overcame the Sea Eagles 28-24.
Full results: Panthers 34 Broncos 12, Warriors 18 Raiders 10, Roosters 48 Rabbitohs 6, Bulldogs 32 Titans 0, Cowboys 46 Dragons 24, West Tigers 32 Sharks 6, Eels 28 Sea Eagles 24, Knights 14 Storm 12.
PNG and Fiji at women's league meet
The Papua New Guinea women's rugby league team defeated ADF Women 6-0 on Saturday in a Women's National Championships campaign on Saturday.
Deborah Kitipa scored in the wet just before half-time while Belinda Gwasamun kicked the conversion for the 6-0 lead which they were able to hold on to until the end of the match.
But the team lost 22-0 to NSW Country on Friday and 12-0 to the First nations Gem in their second game.
Powerful Papua New Guinea centre/second rower Gwasamun was later named one of the two Tahnee Norris Medal as players of the tournament, joined with Ah Ka Aotearoa lock Sharnyze Pihema.
Fiji also could not find their rhythm at the event on Sunday, going down 14-0 to Northern Territory, with one of their own fellow Fijians Abigayle Sekitoga scoring against them.
They had defeated Victoria 20-4 on Saturday.
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