Super Rugby Pacific: Force thrash Drua in dominant display

The Fijian Drua have dropped to 11th place on the Super Rugby Pacific table after suffering a heavy loss to the Western Force, 52-15, in Perth on Sunday.

The defeat, which marks the Drua's 18th loss on the road, follows their previous game, in which they were beaten by the ACT Brumbies 38-21 in Canberra last week.

Sunday's win also propels the Force up the competition ladder to sixth place, joining the other three Australian teams: Queensland Reds in third, NSW Waratahs in fourth, and ACT Brumbies in fifth. They trail behind New Zealand's Waikato Chiefs, who are at the top, and the Canterbury Crusaders in second.

After resting several star players during last week’s 5-33 loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch, Force coach Simon Cron welcomed back four of his Wallabies: flanker Carlo Tizzano, halfback Nic White, flyhalf Ben Donaldson, and inside back Hamish Stewart. Wing Dylan Pietsch also returned after missing the previous match due to a minor knee injury.

Five of the Force's tries were scored in the first half, with hooker Nic Dolly grabbing a hat-trick, along with tries to Tizzano and wing Harry Potter. Donaldson converted four tries for a commanding lead, 33-0.

The Fijians finally got on the scoreboard on the stroke of halftime when a cross-field kick bounced perfectly for fullback Ilaisa Droasese, who dived across the line.

Fiji started the second half aggressively, scoring through centre Taniela Rakuro in the second minute.

But their momentum was quickly halted when Tizzano capitalised on the ruck ball to score his second try three minutes later.

As fatigue began to affect the home side, they gave away six consecutive penalties, allowing the Drua to score when flanker Etonia Waqa took advantage of a loose pass from Donaldson. Unfortunately, flyhalf Caleb Muntz missed the conversion attempts.

The Force responded by scoring again, with Potter getting his second try and Donaldson adding another just five minutes from the end of the match. Donaldson also converted two of their three second-half tries to seal the win.

A disappointed Tevita Ikanivere, Drua co-captain, says the team had discussed key areas for improvement during the week.

"The Force came out firing. We talked about coming to start fast, but unfortunately, we didn't," Ikanivere told StanSport in a post-match interview.

"The Force, as soon as it started, kept coming at us, and we were on the back foot the whole time.

"We prepared well, but we just didn't execute."

Fijian Drua captain Tevita Ikanivere, left, tries to stop Force flanker Carlo Tizzano in Perth on Sunday. Photo/Super Rugby Pacific

The Drua will return to Fiji for a much-needed bye while the Force prepares for their next game against the Reds in Brisbane.

In a separate match, the Fijiana Drua also faced defeat against the Force Women, losing 31-47.

In other results from round six results on Saturday, the Reds defeated the Highlanders in Dunedin 29-23, the Crusaders dominated the defending champions Blues 42-19, and the Waratahs achieved a historic win over the Brumbies after 10 years, winning 28-23.

Looking ahead, on Friday, the Hurricanes will host the Waratahs, while the Highlanders will travel to Canberra to face the Brumbies. On Saturday, the Crusaders take on Moana Pasifika at home, and the Australian derby will see the Reds and Force battle it out at Suncorp Stadium.

WESTERN FORCE: Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny; Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Tom Horton, Marley Pearce, Atu Moli, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Reed Prinsep, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Reesjan Pasitoa

FIJIAN DRUA: Livai Natave, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Meli Tuni, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Elia Canakaivata, Meli Derenalagi, Simione Kuruvoli, Caleb Muntz, Taniela Rakuro, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Iosefo Masi, Ponipate Loganimasi, Ilaisa Droasese

Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Haereiti Hetet, Mesake Doge, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Peni Matawalu, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Vuate Karawalevu.