Fijian Drua v Hurricanes: ‘Canes fall to Fijian side in wet conditions in Lautoka

Motikiai Murray of the Fijian Drua with the ball during his side's match against the Hurricanes in Lautoka. The Drua were victorious after making a surge in the second half. Photo / Getty Images

Hurricanes 20

Fijian Drua 25

The Drua have struck again.

The Fijian side have made a habit of finding a way to get the better of visitors on their home turf and, just as they did in their 27-24 win over the Hurricanes in Suva in 2023, the Drua again upset their Wellington counterparts.

With wet weather forecast for Lautoka, there was always the chance things could be a bit soft underfoot when the two sides met this afternoon. But as the water splashed up with each step, it became apparent early on that the conditions would have a part to play in the day’s proceedings.

It certainly impacted the Hurricanes in the 25-20 loss, as handling errors proved costly – particularly in the second half, when they found themselves chasing the game in the final 10 minutes.

“The toughest thing was, for obvious reasons, holding the ball. We actually played a lot of the second half in the right end of the park but it was extremely hard to hold the ball. The Drua were very disciplined on defence and didn’t allow us too many entries into the corner,” Hurricanes captain Jordie Barrett told Sky Sport.

“They played well today. You can see why they’re so tough to beat in Lautoka here.”

The Hurricanes started the match well and took a deserved lead through left wing Fehi Fineanganofo, who had no concern for whoever would be tasked with cleaning the kit after the match as he slid over in the corner for the game’s first points.

When Peter Lakai rumbled over from the back of a lineout drive in the 25th minute, the Hurricanes held a 12-point lead and looked relatively comfortable doing so.

The sides traded tries before halftime, with the Hurricanes leading 17-13 at the break but seeming to be fairly comfortably in control of the match.

But against the Drua in Fiji, things have never truly been comfortable until the final whistle sounds.

An intercept try through centre Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, picking off a Josh Moorby pass at pace, cancelled out an earlier Jordie Barrett penalty and with 30 minutes left on the clock, the teams were locked at 20.

Still, it was the Hurricanes who were having the better opportunities as they tried to get through the Fijian defences.

Ultimately, those defences were not to be breached, with the final say coming through Fijian blindside flanker Etonia Waqa, who finished off a move on the left wing to push his side into the lead.

Chasing the game in the latter stages was not a position that suited the Hurricanes, who struggled to keep ball in hand – be it through handling errors or kicking.

Asked if the weather impacted the Hurricanes’ attacking game, Barrett refused to use conditions as an excuse and instead credited the Drua’s performance.

“It was two teams playing on the same field,” Barrett said.

“They took a couple of their opportunities and we had multiple entries in the second half and couldn’t capitalise. That was the game in the end.

“The Drua are a good side. They’ve got a number of international players and their season was on the line today. They were the better side, unfortunately for us.”

Hurricanes 20 (Fehi Fineanganofo, Peter Lakai, Billy Proctor tries; Jordie Barrett con, pen)

Fijian Drua 25 (Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Etonia Waqa, Motikiai Murray; Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 2 cons, 2 pens)

HT: 17-13