Match Centre: Fijian Drua 34-19 Moana Pasifika

Fijian Drua 34-19 Moana Pasifika, CommBank Stadium

Apisalome Vota scored a double as Fijian Drua as Fijian Drua defeated Moana Pasifika 34-19 in the latest round of the Super Rugby Pacific at CommBank Stadium on Saturday.

This is just the second win for Drua as they are at 11th position in the table while Moana Pasifika are languishing at the bottom.

The hosts opened their account inside five minutes as Kalaveti Ravouvou sent a beautiful offload for Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta to touchdown and in the 8th minute winger Vinaya Habosi sped across to complete their second try.

Teti Tela kicked both the conversions as Fijian Drua raced to a 14-0 lead.

The response from the visitors came in the 13th minute when Solomone Funaki peeled off following a rolling maul and Lincoln McClutchie improved it making it 14-7 before Tela with his maiden penalty kick in the 25th minute increased Drua's lead to 10 points.

With the break approaching, Vota and Abraham Pole exchanged tries as the teams went into the break with a 24-12 scoreline.

After a quite first half, Moana got the first points in the second half at the conclusion of the third quarter with Danny Toala finding winger Timoci Tavatavanawai to cross in the corner and William Havili slotted the extras to make it 24-19 but unfortunately for the visitors they could not add further to the tally.

A second penalty kick from Tela in the 68th minute provided relief to Fijian Drua as they sealed a victory with Vota completing his second in the 70th minute.

Team line up:

Fijian Drua: 15 Kitione Taliga, 14 Onisi Ratave, 13 Apisalome Vota, 12 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Teti Tela, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 7 Mesulame Dolokoto, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 5 Viliame Rarasea, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet.

Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Chris Minimbi,, 20 Nemani Nagusa, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Caleb Muntz, 23 Selestino Ravutaumada

Moana Pasifika: 1. Abraham Pole, 2. Ray Niuia, 3. Sekope Kepu, 4. Michael Curry, 5. Alex McRobbie, 6. Sione Tu’ipulotu, 7. Solomone Funaki, 8. Henry Time-Stowers, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Lincoln McClutchie, 11. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Solomone Kata, 14. Tima Fainga’anuku, 15. William Havili

Replacements: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18. Joe ‘Apikotoa, 19. Veikoso Poloniati, 20. Jack Lam, 21. Jonathan Taumateine, 22. Christian Leali’ifano, 23. Henry Taefu