Fijian Drua spark wild celebrations with golden-point drop-goal victory

In Super Rugby Pacific, the Fijian Druas and Waratahs were tied at 36-36 at the end of regulation time. This put the game into golden point, where a single, spectacular play determined the outcome.

In extra time, both teams had been searching for points for eight minutes when the attacking Drua handed the ball to Wallaby Rob Valetini’s brother Kemu Valetini, a replacement who displayed remarkable poise.

Valetini collected the ball, delivered a daring dummy that afforded him literally half a yard, and then he squeaked in a drop-kick at goal that suddenly went over to secure the 39-36 victory in style. The pass itself was loopy, allowing the defensive line to rush up. How exciting a time for the Drua.

Mahe Vailanu’s first try in the fourth minute, converted by Tane Edmed, who also scored a penalty five minutes later, gave the Waratahs the early advantage.

Iosefo Masi, who had a fantastic afternoon, gave the Drua a try of their own in the 14th minute, and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula made no mistakes with the kick. Before the half, the hosts would score three more tries: Masi would add two more to complete his first-half hat-trick, and Frank Lomani would cross the line.

After the break, the men from New South Wales immediately responded with tries from Joey Walton and Charlie Gamble, both of which Edmed converted. The Drua’s Armstrong-Ravula then added a penalty as their last points of normal time.

Just after the hour, Vailanu scored his second goal, and Lachlan Swinton scored quickly to tie the score until the end, when Valetini maintained his composure to win the match.

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