Less than 24 hours after the Waratahs’ season spiralled out of control, the Western Force’s finals hopes were put to bed once and for all.
Only the Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies are left standing after the Force were smashed 38-7 by the Drua in Lautoka.
The Force scored first through Sio Tomkinson, but Simon Cron’s men then conceded five straight tries to suffer their fourth straight defeat as the last-placed Drua made it nine wins on the trot in Lautoka.
Salestino Ravutaumada scored a try for the Drua in their massive win over the Force in Lautoka on May 17. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
While the Force were terrible in the second half, the Force had their chances – they just didn’t take them.
Rising halfback Henry Robertson had a forgettable afternoon under the hot sun, knocking on close to the Drua line to let the home side off the hook after Tomkinson’s early try.
The error compounded throughout the afternoon, with the halfback making three errors and conceding a penalty.
But he wasn’t alone in struggling, with the Force’s lineout having a rare afternoon off.
The visitors were also repeatedly repelled in the second half as they kicked for the corner but found a far more formidable defensive line and rolling maul than the one that the Drua had dished up in 2025.
“I thought we started the first half really well, but they gained the momentum and we couldn’t get it back,” said Force captain Jeremy Williams, who was one of his side’s best in his 50th Super Rugby match.
“Our discipline was poor and we turned the ball over too easily, and it’s the second in a row that we’ve done. Against a quality team like the Drua, you’re going to pay – and we did.”
Playing behind a dominant scrum, the Drua often managed to turn defence into attack and built their confidence throughout the match after a terribly underwhelming season.
Outside centre Iosefo Masi was the star of the show, setting up the first try with a lovely offload to allow halfback Philip Baselala to score. The try came after the Force countered after the home side’s early attacking raid broke down.
Masi then scored the Drua’s second try to give the home side the lead after 35 minutes, before a penalty to Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula gave them a 17-7 half-time lead.
With several household names farewelling the Drua at season’s end, including Masi, captain Tevita Ikanivere and flying back Selestino Ravutaumada, the home side played their best 40 minutes of the season after the break.
The second half shut out came was built on the back of a rock solid defensive effort.
Back-rower Elia Canakaivata scored twice for the Drua, with his second try coming after some brilliance from winger Taniela Rakuro, who intercepted out wide, kicked the ball ahead and managed to earn his side a five-metre scrum. Soon after, the Drua had their fourth try.
Their fifth try was just as special as replacement halfback Leone Nawai played on quickly from deep in his half, before kicking the ball ahead and helping his side counter-ruck to allow Ravutaumada to score a classic Fijian try.
“It was a great team effort,” Ikanivere said.
“The boys showed up for each other and especially the fans.
“It wasn’t our best season, but to see the turn out that came out today, that was the fans, for our families and for the whole Drua family.”
The defeat meant the ninth-placed Force (22) are out of the finals, having secured their last win way back in early April against the Highlanders.
The Force host the Waratahs next Saturday in their final match of the season, while the Drua (19) have a bye next week and finish their season by travelling to Brisbane to take on the Reds.
