Waratahs beaten again in an extra-time thriller in Fiji

On a sweltering day in Lautoka, Fiji, the brutality of sports was shown as the Waratahs fell short of the Drua by three points in an intense game that further puts pressure on head coach Darren Coleman.

After an unspectacular first half, the Waratahs had rallied magnificently to tie the score at 36–36 after 80 minutes. However, in the golden point phase of extra time, Drua reserve Kemu Valetini scored a long-range drop goal that devastated the hearts of the NSW players.

After struggling for so long in hot conditions and against a relentless opposition in the Drua, Waratahs players sat on the bench with their heads down at the final whistle. Most of them had chilled cloths over their necks to try and bring down their body temperatures to a reasonable level.

Five-eighth After doing so much well during the game—including a last-minute tap tackle as the Drua raced at the Waratahs line—Tane Edmed was distraught and fought back tears. His heroics on defence will come as no comfort when his extra-time drop goal attempt struck the post.

Edmed’s performance essentially summed up the Waratahs’ Super Rugby season thus far: there was plenty to be happy about, but he faltered in the last, vital moment to end the match.

Despite the fact that this was the Druas’ first win over the Waratahs in five meetings, it’s important to remember that none of the other encounters took place at Churchill Park, the Waratahs’ home field, which presents one of the toughest obstacles for any visiting club in rugby.

Teams playing at Churchill Park not only face a strong hitting and running Drua squad, but also a boisterous fan base that pulsates with excitement with every play made by their team. The crowd chants toso Drua, toso, which roughly translates to ‘let’s go Drua’, and they cheer for everything from a maul to a line break.

One should not undervalue Fiji’s love for the Drua people. In just two seasons, the male and female athletes are already featured on enormous billboards promoting anything from cooking oil to bank accounts, and their on-and off-field exploits are the subject of endless conversation at roadside roti stalls.

Huge posters inside the Drua’s training centre read, “We will look to the hills where our help comes from,” which helps to explain where the team gets its strength from the supporters who travel long distances by car, bus, and bicycle to watch them play.

Iosefo Masi, a centre for Drua who was on a training contract with the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL two years prior, was a standout player for his team. He led the Waratahs in a mauling try in the first half, sending banners and umbrellas flying into the air as he touched the ball.

At halftime, the weather was terrible, with rain battering the stand’s tin roof. The Waratahs were down 26–10 and one player was out after winger Mark Nawaqanitawase was sin-binned for purposefully bringing the ball down during his 50th appearance in front of his loved ones.

The Waratahs were often dragged into the loose rugby that the Drua thrive at, and as a result, they appeared to be lacking in ideas and enthusiasm. However, the second half saw a complete turnaround for NSW as they eventually regained their rhythm and confidence.

Separate Just after halftime, Charlie Gamble launched the fightback with a try. Joey Walton, Mahe Vailanu, and Lachlan Swinton then scored to cap off what appeared to be an amazing recovery, level the game at 36 points apiece.

The crowd wasn’t sure if the game was done after 80 minutes because most fans weren’t aware that Super Rugby included golden point extra time.

The Waratahs players were completely worn out, nearly to the point of collapse, as they struggled to find a way to win a game that could salvage their season.

It was not meant to be. It was left to sweat-drenched Captain Jake Gordon to attempt to decipher the game.

Gordon stated, “I think we’re probably well over 25% of the way through the season.” We’re an aspiring team that wants to be at the top of the table, so we need to be more clinical. Despite the benefits, I don’t want to get caught up in the negatives. We must figure out how to end those games.

After a season filled with heartbreakingly close losses, such as back-to-back two-point losses to the Highlanders and the Blues, the Waratahs board must now decide if Coleman is the right player to lead this club into the future. There’s no simple solution to their situation.

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