The Fijian Drua have continued to build their Super Rugby Women title defence, grinding out a 20-7 win against the ACT Brumbies.
Winning for a second straight week, the two-time reigning champions looked clunky in attack early but clicked into gear to win well at GIO Stadium.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Brumbies after a gritty defensive display against the competition heavyweights, although they’d be disappointed not to back up last weekend’s 31-14 win against Queensland that vaulted them into finals contention.
They had no right to only trail 10-7 at halftime after spending much of the first half camped on their own line.
But a game-breaking run and offload from Drua centre Merewai Cumu early in the second half put winger Atelaite Buna through to score and set them on course for the win.
Fullback Luisa Tisolo had knocked over a penalty goal on 35 minutes to give the Drua a 10-7 lead, although keeping the damage to three points felt like a win for the Brumbies after a lengthy stint defending in their own 22m.
Drua flanker Sulita Waisega opened the scoring after gathering a deft kick and powering away, with a 7-0 advantage the least the visitors deserved from a strong opening 15 minutes.
But just as the Fijian forwards looked to be taking over after forcing a series of penalties, the Brumbies’ rolling maul hit back in impressive fashion, with hooker Tania Naden driven over to knot the scores at 7-7.
The Drua launch into second place, with the Western Force currently trailing the NSW Waratahs in Perth.
They will lock up a home final with a win over the Melbourne Rebels next weekend.
The Brumbies remain fourth on the table, and with a five-point advantage on the Reds appear close to being locked in for finals.
They face the Force in Perth, whilst the Queenslanders play arch-rivals Waratahs in Sydney.
