It was a celebration of culture, wins and footy for Drua and Moana Pasifika last Saturday.
It could not have been scripted any better for the two Pasifika teams in the Super Rugby Pacific competition. Both Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua notched up their first wins for 2025 over the weekend.
With both teams heading into Saturday’s matches with three straight losses each, a moment of brilliance was needed from both sides to get back on a winning high.
The challenge was not easy as Drua faced table toppers Chiefs, while Moana Pasifika battled it out with the strong Hurricanes.
And with both clashes being held at home for Moana and Drua, the support was certainly present.
Drua hosted the Chiefs in Lautoka, a place that fans and locals have coined as “Sugar City”due to it being the centre of Fiji’s sugar cane industry.
Such was the case for the Chiefs who although had scored the opening try of the match, were then left to adjust to the change in weather throughout the match.
Drua outclassed and adapted to the conditions, fighting their way through a strong Chiefs side with a 28-24 win.
Young playmaker Isaiah Armstrong Ravula was a key standout for Drua, having a hand in pretty much everything that went their way. His kicking game was also spot on, giving Drua the go forward and probably the points difference that got them the win.
“To come back to Lautoka after three tight losses, and also the belief that we got in our squad and how we pulled a clinical effort over the Chiefs makes me proud,” Drua coach Glen Jackson said.
Captain and scrumhalf Frank Lomani said that he and the team dedicated the win to their supporters and that they “owed them a win.”
“We knew we were coming to Lautoka, we had our fans and our families and the whole of Fiji behind us, and we knew that we owed them a win. So we came and we delivered.”
As the fans of Drua celebrated their win, back in Albany at North Harbor Stadium in Auckland, Moana Pasifika and its fans were preparing for the much anticipated match with the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes and Moana have developed a sense of rivalry in the past year or so, with the two teams sharing some common interests.
Most notably was the signing of Ardie Savea to Moana, after a stellar career representing the yellow jersey of Hurricanes for many years.
After failing to start well in their first games of the season, Moana did a complete turnaround and outclassed the visitors with a 40-31 win.
Flyhalf and Tongan international Patrick Pellegrini stood out for Moana in his first start, guiding his team around the park and nailing crucial points from his boot.
His excellence and on field brilliance was applauded by fans and viewers, earning him high praises from his coach Faalogo Tana Umaga.
“He did well in his first start. In fact every opportunity he has been given he has taken it with two hands,” Fa’alogo said.
“It was a selection in which he put pressure on us, and he earned the right to start. And he showed why he has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.”
For captain Ardie Savea, being able to win in front of their fans at North Harbour Stadium was a great achievement for him and the team.
“The beautiful thing about us is that we’re a team for all people. We talk about our poly flavour and it’s infectious and it has an effect on not just our pacific people but other communities as well,” Savea said.
“It’s just nice to see us reap the rewards of our labour and uh it’s a special feeling when everything can click with the boys. So yeah really proud of the boys and their efforts.”
