Drua cling to finals dream with one-point thriller

This article originally appeared on Stuff and is reproduced with permission

A sizzling hat-trick to find-of-the-season Iosefo Masi has propelled the Fijian Drua to a dramatic one-point victory over Moana Pasifika, and kept alive their slim hopes of an historic quarterfinal spot in Super Rugby Pacific.

But Aaron Mauger's Moana Pasifika side were desperately unlucky not to grab a last-ditch victory in a 14-try thriller as they crossed for a 79th-minute try to replacement hooker Sam Moli (their third off the lineout drive) to get them within a successful conversion of their first victory of the season.

However, veteran first five Christian Lealiifano was not able to slot the two-pointer from 14 metres in from the left touch and the Drua were able to celebrate a much-needed victory that gives them a shot of a top-eight finish on the last round of the season.

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Masi was superb on a warm, dry afternoon in Lautoka as he cut the Moana defence to shreds en route to three tries, 90 metres on the carry, five defenders beaten and three clean breaks.

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The Drua got big-time displays out of Masi, fullback Ilaisa Droasese and halfback Frank Lomani in their always threatening backline, while up front charging loose forward Joseva Tamani and No.8 Meli Derenalagi were the pick of the forwards.

But Moana had to be commended for their stickability as they kept charging back from significant deficits, and gave themselves the chance of snatching an unlikely victory in the closing minutes.

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The home side led by just two points, 26-24, after an eight-try first 40 ended at four five-pointers apiece and nothing in a contest that, predictably, featured plenty of scintillating attacking play, and a lot less in the way of steely defence.

The Drua took a few minutes to settle in this must-win clash, with Moana fullback William Havili giving his team the early 7-0 lead with an acrobatic finish in the right corner.

But then the home side shifted effortlessly into gear in the warm conditions, rattling off three tries in eight minutes to No 8 Meli Derenalagi, in-form centre Iosefo Masi (his seventh of the season) and fullback Ilaisa Droasese for the 21-7 lead.

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The visitors, though, were not about to lie down in this entertaining feast of running rugby and they surged back into the contest with prop Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Havili again and big Levi Aumua all crossing to get them back to within touching distance at the break.

Moana kept coming back at the Drua throughout a surging contest, and this contest all came down to Lealiifano's conversion at the end. Unfortunately, he hooked it and the Drua had the result they so desperately needed.

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For the Drua a fifth victory of the season, improving them to 21 points, leaves them in with a shot at the quarterfinals, providing they finish well in their regular season finale at home to the Reds next Saturday.

For Moana a 13th consecutive defeat for the campaign means they need a win against the Waratahs in Sydney to avoid the schneid.

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