The Western Force will need to wait to secure a maiden Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s semi-finals berth after going down 19-5 to reigning champions Fijian Drua in tough conditions in Lautoka on Saturday.
In a match played in rain on a muddy surface, the ball handling was always going to be a challenge but the Fijians got their game going for a three-try-to-one triumph at Churchill Park.
The Force did rally from a 12-0 half-time deficit, with Rosie Ebbage crossing to trim the deficit but the visitors were unable to capitalize on significant possession and field position in the second half.
It was a game full of penalties and ill-discipline and thus the Force’s only try came after the Drua were reduced to 13 following yellow cards to Matarugu and Naisewa.
But the Drua managed to score their third try with 13 on the field from a devastating Cumu line break.
Force captain Trilleen Pomare, who reached a milestone 25th game on Saturday, said: "I thought in that first half we were a bit hard done by. There were a lot of penalties and not a lot of results. They had one yellow card. We just couldn't capitalise at the end of the day. We’ve got to be better."
The Drua (2-1) and Force (2-1) are both locked on nine points in second and third spot on the Super W ladder after three rounds.
A Force victory would’ve clinched a maiden semi-finals spot, with a date against ladder-leading NSW Waratahs next at UWA Sports Park on Saturday 6 April, before facing the ACT Brumbies in the final round.
The Force started strong with good territory, with back-rower Anneka Stephens earning a lineout within 15m but the side were unable to make good use despite several Drua penalties.
The conditions were making it tough for both sides with Nunia Daunimoala knocking-on a near-certain try for the home side in the 13th minute.
But the hosts got the advantage from a scrum, with openside flanker Sulita Waisega released in the corner to cross after a quarter of an hour. Luisa Tisolo couldn’t convert.
The Force had their close calls, with Brooklyn Teki-Joyce knocking on with the try-line in sight, before the Drua rebounded and Adita Milinia broke clear down the left edge, evading three tacklers to score. Tisolo added the extras for a 12-0 lead.
Discipline was an issue for the Drua, with yellow cards handed out Matarugu and Naisewa in quick succession, before the Force utilized their driving maul to good effect from a lineout with Ebbage dotting in the 46th minute. Scrum-half Samantha Wood’s conversion attempt fell short.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Drua crossed for a third time, with Cumu’s speed and power on show as she darted through the Force defence in the 50th minute.
The Force continued to build pressure without yielding results despite a yellow card to Michaela Leonard. Haylee Hifo knocked on after a nice build-up play, while Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke’s line-out wasn’t straight after gaining territory within the 22m.
The Drua turned defence into attack late on, with a Tisolo line break but Atelaite Ralivanawa couldn’t handle her pass. The Force regained field position but again found no reward in the dying minutes.
Fijian Drua 19
Tries: Waisega (15’), Milinia (32’), Cumu (50’)
Conversions: Tisolo (2/3)
Penalties: Nil
Western Force 5
Tries: Ebbage (46’)
Conversions: Wood (0/1)
Penalties: Nil
