Fijian Drua secured their first Tremendous Rugby Pacific win in opposition to a hapless Melbourne Rebels, however fellow newcomers Moana Pasifika have been overwhelmed on their belated debut on the weekend as powerhouse Crusaders surged to the highest of the desk.
The Australia-based Drua misplaced their opening two video games closely, leaking 82 factors, however they confirmed not simply spine but in addition aptitude in a come-from-behind 31-26 win at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
It compounded a horror begin to the season from the Rebels, who have been lacking a number of gamers by harm and suspension as they suffered a 3rd straight loss.
“To say it’s unfortunate can be disrespectful to the Drua, they performed a greater recreation than us in nearly each aspect,” stated Rebels skipper Michael Wells. “We’ll need to have an excellent exhausting take a look at ourselves.”
Whereas Drua received off the mark, New Zealand-based Moana Pasifika, whose opening two video games have been postponed, slumped 33-12 in opposition to the mighty Crusaders.
Regardless of the defeat, the brand new outfit, skippered by Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu, impressed with some bruising defence and slick ball motion to provide the 12-time champions a run for his or her cash.
They jumped to a shock lead by a Solomone Funaki attempt, however in the end the Crusaders’ expertise paid dividends as they battled to a five-tries-to-two win at an empty Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin with All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor bagging a brace.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson admitted it was “actual, actual robust” and Kepu stated his crew took quite a lot of confidence from their efficiency.
“It was about trusting ourselves and backing one another and the boys confirmed quite a lot of braveness, lot of ardour,” he advised reporters. “We are able to take quite a lot of confidence out of that (as a result of) they’ve set the bar for years.”
The win pushed the Crusaders one bonus-point clear on the high of the 12-team desk after spherical three, with the Brumbies and Reds the one different unbeaten sides.
The Brumbies, bolstered by a powerhouse pack that includes Wallabies James Slipper, Folau Fainga’a and Allan Alaalatoa, noticed off a dogged Waratahs 27-20 at Canberra Stadium, racing to a 10-0 lead after which 24-6.
However the ‘Tahs gallantly fought again within the rain to earn a shedding bonus level.
Skipper Alaalatoa stated his crew was constructing properly for the season.
“Crucial factor is simply taking it recreation by recreation, undoubtedly celebrating this win after which transferring ahead,” he stated.
The Reds additionally saved their unbeaten streak intact with a powerful 29-16 win over the Western Drive in Perth, pushed by star playmaker James O’Connor, who performed a hand in all 4 tries and slotted 9 factors with the boot.
It culminated a chaotic week for the Reds who might solely practice as soon as within the lead-up to the sport as a result of devastating floods in Queensland, then endured a 14-hour flight to Perth as a result of delays and an unplanned stopover.
Elsewhere, the Blues edged previous the Chiefs 24-22, however solely simply with Chiefs’ substitute Bryn Gatland lacking a long-range penalty on the loss of life to win the sport at Eden Park.
And the Hurricanes earned their second win of the season with a 21-14 victory over the Highlanders, who, just like the Rebels, have misplaced all three video games to this point.
© Agence France-Presse
