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The Queensland Reds stay winless in Fiji after conceding a check out within the ultimate minute to lose to the Drua 36-33 in Suva.
Despite substitute hooker Max Craig scoring on debut to provide the Reds a past due lead, the guests struggled to play on the proper finish of the sector within the death phases of the fit and paid the cost.
While Seru Uru made one turnover to lend a hand relieve the power, the phenomenal loose-forward used to be known as on once more after the Reds misplaced a the most important lineout after which have been compelled to protect their very own line after a linebreak.
With Fraser McReight despatched to the sin bin for palms within the ruck, Uru regarded to have stored the day with every other turnover. But the flanker misplaced regulate of the tablet on a sizzling and humid day in Suva as he ripped the ball up.
Seconds later the Drua have been over as Isikeli Rabitu powered over to attain. Game, set, and fit.
“Obviously a bit disappointed at the end, but I thought the boys did really well to get ourselves back into the game,” stated Reds captain Tate McDermott.
“The Drua played a physical game and we missed too many tackles. Obviously disappointed, but we got the bonus point. We’re not happy with that, but it’s better than nothing.”
The Reds have been compelled to make 184 tackles to the Drua’s 108.
The additional workload took its toll in defence, with the Drua profitable the combat up entrance. It additionally noticed the Reds omit 20 tackles to 12.
It used to be no marvel that McDermott pointed to the collision house as the place they sport used to be received and misplaced.
“Probably just physically,” he stated.
“We let them score too easily, too many times. Against a team like the Drua, if you give them that much time and space to do whatever they want with the ball and they’re going to make you pay.”
Mesake Vocevoce scored a the most important check out for the Drua of their past due win over the Queensland Reds on May 03, 2025, in Suva. (Photo by way of Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
Really it used to be most effective substitute prop Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen who stored the Reds in it.
The veteran prop got here off the bench and made a right away have an effect on. He shored up the scrum, scored a check out, received two turnovers and used to be the one tight-five ahead who obviously received the touch zone.
Elsewhere, Uru had his moments, hooker Richie Asiata persisted his tryscoring shape and McReight took a step in the appropriate route however nonetheless regarded a step in the back of the place he’s been in earlier years.
The Reds’ backline hardly ever had time and area, with Tim Ryan specifically suffering in defence because the Drua exploited his defensive frailties within the outdoor channels.
The win used to be a the most important one for the Drua, with the bottom-placed aspect conserving their faint finals hopes alive by way of shifting to 15 issues – seven issues in the back of the sixth-placed Blues.
But with two house video games to return, together with towards the Blues and Western Force, they might be the contest’s large movers.
“It feels good (to win),” stated tight-head prop and captain Mesake Doge, who scored an early check out for the house aspect.
“It’s been a while since we got a win here in Suva. I would like to thank the fans, thank you for coming out today. This team is yours, not only ours.
“It’s been a hard week for us as a club and these boys have fought hard this week. You can see in the last ten seconds of that game, these boys came our firing and they showed the spirit of this nation.”
The dropping bonus level ensured the Reds would stay in fourth spot irrespective of different effects this weekend, however the chasing pack, together with the Hurricanes and Blues, will now be sniffing a possibility to climb up the standings.
“We’ll take our lessons,” McDermott stated.” It’s no longer all doom and gloom. We’ve were given crucial sport subsequent week towards the Waratahs after which towards the Brumbies, however we’ll take it one week at a time.”
