Blues crush Fijian Drua 34-5 to reclaim top six spot

The Blues stormed back into the top six of Super Rugby Pacific with a commanding 34–5 victory over the Fijian Drua in wet and slippery conditions at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium.

Dominating across all facets of the game, the Blues combined forward power, precise kicking, and defensive solidity to silence the home crowd and keep their playoff push on track.

Before kickoff, both teams observed a moment of silence in memory of former Fijian international Josaia Raisuqe, setting a respectful tone for what would become a physical contest.

The Blues struck early. Just six minutes in, prop Marcel Renata barged over the line to open the scoring, capitalizing on relentless pressure inside the Drua 22.

That early strike was followed by sharp attacking phases, and in the 22nd minute, halfback Taufa Funaki darted through a defensive gap to extend the lead to 12–0.

Beauden Barrett, controlling territory with his boot, slotted a penalty in the 28th minute to make it 15–0. Minutes later, the Blues scored their third try of the half through tighthead prop Josh Fusitu’a, who finished off another dominant forward passage to send the visitors into the sheds with a 22–0 advantage.

The visitors didn’t let up after the break. Just six minutes into the second half, replacement prop Angus Ta’avao added to the front-row scoring tally, crashing over after a well-structured maul. With the score stretching further, the Blues began to open up their play wider.

In the 67th minute, winger Cole Forbes got in on the action, finishing a beautifully worked backline move to put the result beyond doubt at 34–0.

The Fijian Drua managed a late consolation try through fullback Selestino Ravutaumada in the 76th minute, but it did little to affect the overall dominance the Blues had shown from start to finish.

Beauden Barrett’s tactical kicking and calm game management were pivotal, consistently pinning the Drua back and forcing them to play out of uncomfortable areas.

No. 8 Hoskins Sotutu also stood out with his tireless work at the breakdown and a clever assist that helped turn pressure into points.

The Blues’ set-piece was strong throughout, and their ability to retain structure on a wet pitch proved too much for a Drua side that struggled with handling errors and territorial discipline.

This result propels the Blues back into fifth place on the Super Rugby Pacific table, strengthening their path toward the playoffs. With two crucial rounds left, they’ll look to build on this momentum and secure a top-four finish.