Blues Caleb Clarke scores a try during the Super Rugby Pacific Quarter Final - Blues v Fijian Drua at Eden Park, Auckland 08 June 2024 Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz Photo: Photosport / Brett Phibbs
Blues end Drua dream
The Blues outplayed and outscored the Fijian Drua at Eden Park on Saturday, claiming a 36-5 win in a Super Rugby Pacific semifinal clash.
All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke scored two tries as the Blues produced a third dominant win for New Zealand teams.
In what was always going to be a physical contest, the Blues raced to a 22-0 lead after 35 minutes.
The Drua did not miss the crowd on Saturday, as Fijians around Auckland and surrounding Hamilton turned up to cheer them on.
But they could not find any way through the strong Blues defence in the first 40 minutes.
The Blues started with a band and went to worjke arly, playing the Fijians' own game, showing their ability to run the ball freely, and getting their forwards to claim the mileage on the ground.
Flanker Dalton Papali'i, scrum-half Finlay Christie and Clarke crossed for tries as the Blues executed with precision and the Drua made a succession of errors.
There was hardly any Drua moves, and they kicked when they had the ball, instead of keeping that in hand and asking questions of the Blues' defence.
While winger Selestino Ravutaumada triggered a Drua fightback with a brilliant, mazy run for a try three minutes into the second half, that was all the visitors could muster.
While they had more possession in the second 40 minutes they unfortunately could not turn those into points, as the Blues struck back with replacement hooker Kurt Eklund and Clarke, scoring two more.
Captain Meli Derenalagi said they were beaten by a better team and they could not find their way through.
The big number eight said their second quarterfinal in three years has also taught them a lot they can work on for 2025.
"Even though it's not what we wanted, but it maybe the highest position that we ever reach in the third season but we will keep on coming next season," he said.
"It has been a tough year but we have made some progress and we will return better in the new year."
Selesitino Ravutaumada dives to score the Fijian Drua's only try against the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday. Photo: Fijian Drua
Coach Mick Byrne says the players fought hard in the second half and he was proud of how they went through the season.
"When they came out (in the second half), the spirit of the guys showed," he said.
"At halftime you could see that they were disappointed with some of the things that had gone on out there and they wanted to set it right. They came out after halftime and did that.
"That's one of the big plus with this side, the spirit they have and the way they want to play the game. It's admirable really. There's not a cynic in the group, they just play the game with great spirit."
Blues flanker and stand-in captain Papali'I, who had to take over the role after captain Patrick Tuipulotu left the field with a knee injury, said it was a tough second spell for them.
He said Drua played well and it was tight till the end.
"I don't think the scoreboard reflects how tough a game that was, they really brought it to us," Papali'I said.
"It's finals footy now, it's the best teams now playing for the end goal, and that's to win the whole thing. Week by week we've got to turn up."
Former All Black and Moana Pasifika head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga described the Fijian Drua as something special.
"The Fijian Drua have been showing the rest of us in the rugby world that if you're determined to achieve something, you can do it," he told Mai TV.
"You just have to look at the crowds that come to support them in Fiji to understand how deeply entrenched in the hearts of the Fijian people this team is.
"It's the Pacific way. We love our culture and when we are passionate about something, we go out there and show it."
Fijian Drua's Head of Commercial and Marketing Shane Hussein said they are proud of the team's achievement, especially having played their second quarterfinal already in their three years of existence.
"As the front office staff, it's amazing to see just how far we've grown as a Club and as an organisation."
Drua finished seventh in the regular season, bettering their 2023 record, where they had finished eighth.
Brumbies only Aussie team in
The ACT Brumbies have made the semi-finals to secure a date with the high-flying Blues in Auckland, following their 32-16 win over the Highlanders in Canberra last Saturday night.
Victory completed an undefeated home campaign with a perfect 10-from-10 record at GIO Stadium in 2024.
But their reward is a tough one.
Stephen Larkham's top Australian outfit must beat the Blues away from their home fortress for the first time in more than a decade to keep their hopes of snapping a 20-year title drought alive.
The Blues have not only won the past five encounters between the two sides at Australian rugby's historical burial ground since 2013, but also thrashed the Brumbies 46-7 in a record-setting victory at Eden Park last time around in April.
But that's tomorrow's problem as the Brumbies celebrate Saturday night's second-half shut-out of the Highlanders.
The hosts had stars across the park but no one was more influential than reigning John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini, who was enormous at the breakdown and typically powerful with ball in hand.
The Highlanders had opened the scoring with a second-minute penalty goal from Cameron Millar following a Brumbies scrum infringement.
But the Brumbies proceeded to dominate for most of the first half and shut out the game in the second to book their spot as the only Australia team in the semi-finals this weekend.
TJ Perenara of the Hurricanes passes the ball during the Super Rugby Pacific Quarter Final - Hurricanes v Rebels at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 8 June 2024. Copyright photo: Masanori Udagawa / www.photosport.nz Photo: Photosport / Masanori Udagawa
Rebels bow out
Melbourne's last ever Super Rugby Pacific match ended in heartbreak, with the Hurricanes storming to a 47-20 victory on the back of a big second half at the Sky Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Rebels bow out in their first ever final, coming in their 14th year in Super Rugby and their last also after Rugby Australia's decision to exclude them from the competition in 2025.
While winger Lachie Anderson scored a late double, it was too little too late, with the Hurricanes bagging five second-half tries to secure an emphatic win.
Melbourne threw everything at the Hurricanes early on and unsettled the home side with their rushing defence and they became the first team in 2024 to stop the Hurricanes scoring a try in the opening 20 minutes.
While they led 3-0 early and close at 7-6, the side fell in defense and gave away a 14-6 lead to the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes took the game home in the second spell and scored late tries as well to seal their semifinal spot this weekend.
Damian McKenzie celebrates Anton Lienert-Brown’s try during the Super Rugby Pacific quarter final match between the Chiefs and Queensland Reds at FMG Stadium in Hamilton. Photo: Photosport
Chiefs dump Reds
The Queensland Reds' season of high hopes and promise ended in disappointment with a 43-21 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night.
It was a faultless first half for the Chiefs, as they ran in four unanswered first-half tries to lead 31-0 at the break.
The Chiefs raced to a 21-0 lead through an early try-scoring double to hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho and one to winger Emoni Narawa.
Queensland briefly threatened a fightback with the first try of the second half through co-captain and Wallabies No.9 Tate McDermott.
But normal service resumed as All Blacks ace Anton Lienert-Brown crossed for the Chiefs' fifth try in the 55th minute to extend to the hosts' insurmountable lead to 38-7.
McDermott grabbed a second for the Reds but it was merely a consolation.
New winner to be crowned
Meanwhile, a new Super Rugby Pacific champion will be crowned in 2024 with back-to-back defending champions the Crusaders missing the Super Rugby Finals for the first time since 2015.
And the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific Semi-Final fixtures have been confirmed.
With a spot in the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final up for grabs, the Semi-Finals kick off on Friday 14 June with the Blues welcoming the ACT Brumbies to Eden Park.
The action continues on Saturday 15 June with the minor premiers Hurricanes taking on the Chiefs at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
The Chiefs were first to book their Semi-Final berth with a win over the Queensland Reds on Friday before the Hurricanes secured home ground advantage for their clash courtesy of a 47-20 victory over the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday.
Lautoka wins Fiji FACT
Lautoka has retained the Fiji FA Fiji FACT title after defeating Navua 1-0 in the final at Subrail Park in Labasa on Sunday.
Sairusi Nalaubu says the side's warrior spirit made the difference.
Nalaubu told FBC Sports the players never gave up hope when they were reduced to 10 men, after Saula Waqa was given his marching orders by the referee.
"I always say to the boys, in the last 20 minutes not to put their heads down, to work until the last whistle and the boys did just that," he said.
" I dedicate this win to all the family back at home, all our parents and not forgetting all the fans of Lautoka. This is for you."
The Blues walked away with the $17,000 prize money, while Navua collected $5,000 for finishing as runners' up.
Storm wins to keep lead
The Storm have continued their 2024 dominance with a hard-fought 36-28 win over the Knights at AAMI Park on Sunday.
The win see them with 22 points at the top, ahead of the Sharks with a better points difference. They also have more games on hand to play, with the Sharks having played 13 games compared to the Storm's 12.
Melbourne rebounded from their Round 12 loss to secure top spot on the competition ladder.
Both sides traded sets in the opening 15 minutes before Newcastle had the first opportunity to post points however debutant Fletcher Sharpe fumbled the ball over the line after some excellent cover defence.
Melbourne marched downfield on the next set and centre Nick Meaney sliced through defenders from close range to open the scoreboard 6-0.
The Knights hit back in the 21st minute when Jackson Hastings picked up a stray Storm pass and found Dylan Lucas in support who skipped inside and raced under the posts to score.
In another clash, a first-half hat-trick to Brian To'o fired Penrith to a 10-point 32-22 victory over the Sea Eagles.
The match was a free-flowing, entertaining affair, with the two teams combining for 11 tries and 54 points.
Sea Eagles winger Tommy Talau crossed for four on his own, however it was not enough to secure his team the win.
While Manly were clinical in attacking territory, Penrith were methodical throughout and finished with an 87% completion rate that allowed them to largely dictate proceedings.
To'o and Talau each scored first-half hat-tricks in an eventful opening 40 minutes.
And the Warriors thrashed the Cowboys 42-12 in Townsville.
Auckland to Townsville is the longest trip the Warriors have to make, but they welcomed back plenty of key players returning from injury.
They scored the first four tries and seven in total on their way to the big win at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Addin Fonua-Blake, Mitch Barnett, Rocco Berry (twice) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak were the try-scorers.
NRL Round 14 results: Dragons 56 West Tigers 14, Rabbitohs 46 Titans 12, Warriors 42 Cowboys 12, Sharks 22 Broncos 12, Storm 36 Knights 28, Panthers 32 Sea Eagles 22.
PNG Hunters players preparing for the weekend's clash against the Western Clydesdales in the Hostplus Cup round 13 campaign in Toowoomba Sports ground. Photo: PNG Hunters
PNG Hunters back with a win
The PNG SP hunters claimed a defensive 28-22 win against the Western Clydesdales in the Hostplus Cup round 13 campaign in Toowoomba Sports ground.
The Post Courier said the Hunters scored early in the physical first half with a try from center Clent Lama straight in the 4th minute into the kickoff.
The home side returned the favor in the 7th minute by a try from the winger Kaden Buhse.
Western Clydesdales took the lead 10 -6 with another try from center Corey Fenning in the 16th minute before the visitors forced an era in the Clydesdales 10 meters to level the score 10 all by a try from Benjie Kot and half-back Jamie Mavako successfully put the Hunters in front 12-10.
The home side fans got their voice back in the second with a quick fast play out in the ruck from the former NRL player and hooker Taniela Otukolo to score.
Corey Fenning closed the 14 points margins to 16-24 with the successful conversion but the break wall Junior Rop gave the local Toowoomba boys a feel of the hunter's strength in gaining meters just to set the hooker Jodah Rimbu in a good spot to score the golden six points.
Hunters led 28 -16 while Western Clydesdales with the 55 tackle breaks had fought back in the 59th minute keeping the home fans' hopes alive with a try from super sub-hooker Drew Timms.
Paul Aiton's men could not let the winning spirit fade with 21 effective tackles as they kept the defense tight with a tremendous effort from forwards Junior Rop and captain Illa Alu to sail home to victory defeating the Western Clydesdales on home soil 28-22.