WATCH: Joseva Tamani scores runaway try for Fijian Drua against ...
Fijian Drua back-row Joseva Tamani caught the eye with an outstanding try in his side’s 41-17 victory over the Reds in their Super Rugby Pacific encounter in Suva on Saturday.
The Drua were full value for their win and had the game in the bag when the flanker pounced on a mistake from the Reds on the Drua’s 10-metre line in the 76th minute.
Tamani still had plenty of work to do but kept his composure and outsprinted the cover defence to score a runaway try for the home side which added the finishing touches on an emphatic win. The result also booked them a place in Super Rugby Pacific‘s quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
Smokin' Joe ????????#DRUvRED #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/llXByMHn6W
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 3, 2023
Click here for teams and scorersEarlier, the Drua had made a fantastic start when Selestino Ravutaumada charged down an attempted clearance kick from Filipo Daugunu in the third minute before diving onto the ball to score the opening try.
Caleb Muntz added the extras but the Reds struck back when Ryan Smith crossed for a five-pointer which was converted by James O’Connor. Kalaveti Ravouvou then crossed the whitewash for the hosts before the Reds took the lead with a converted try from Fraser McReight.
O’Connor extended that lead via a penalty in the 23rd minute before Vilive Miramira dotted down for the Drua 10 minutes later, which meant the sides were level at 17-17 when they changed sides at half-time.
The Drua took control of proceedings after the break and held a 32-17 lead by the hour-mark after Frank Lomani succeeded with a penalty and Mesake Doge and Tevita Ikanivere crossed for tries, which were both converted by the scrum-half.
The final quarter was tense as the visitors tried to haul in the Drua but it wasn’t to be and the hosts sealed their victory with Tamani’s late try.
Video credit: Super Rugby Pacific
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