Super Rugby Pacific highlights: Chiefs secure home quarter-final after edging Fijian Drua

Planet Rugby

The Chiefs secured a home quarter-final in Super Rugby Pacific when they sealed a 35-34 triumph against the Fijian Drua in Lautoka on Saturday.

As the scoreline suggests, this was a closely fought battle and the visitors had to dig deep for their victory. They eventually got the job done by outscoring the Drua five tries to four with Angus Ta’avao, Bryn Gatland and Emoni Narawa (2) crossing the whitewash. They were also awarded a penalty try while Gatland added four conversions.

For the hosts, Apisalome Vota led the way with a brace of tries with Kalaveti Ravouvou and Timoci Sauvoli also dotting down. Teti Tela added 14 points courtesy of two penalties and four conversions.

The Chiefs raced into a 14-0 lead inside the opening quarter after Ta’avao and Gatland scored tries but the home side struck back with a five-pointer from Vota before Narawa went over for his first try on the stroke of half-time which gave his side a 21-7 lead at the interval.

The Drua narrowed the gap when Tela succeeded with a couple of penalties during the early stages of the second half but the Chiefs held a 35-13 lead by the 66th minute via Narawa’s second five-pointer and their penalty try after illegal scrummaging from their opponents close to their try-line.

The Drua finished stronger, however, and were rewarded for their enterprising play with tries from Vota, Ravouvou and Sauvoli in the final 10 minutes, with Ravouvou’s effort a contender for try of the season after the Drua launched a counter attack from deep inside their half.

Video credit: Super Rugby Pacific