Slick Drua continue Penney's nightmare

CRUSADERS' miserable start to their new era continued with a third straight defeat as Fijian Drua picked up their first win of the season.

- TOM JEFFREYS

Rob Penney's side went down 20-10 to equal their worst-ever start to a Super Rugby season in 1996.

Despite big changes in the close-season the five-time reigning champions entered the campaign as clear favourites but they are looking exposed both sides of the ball as they battle to plug gaps left by the high-profile departures of Richie Mo'unga, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, and injuries to Will Jordan and Leigh Halfpenny.

Their fortunes appeared to be changing when one of few remaining superstars Sevu Reece helped his side to a 10-0 lead, finishing off a good set-piece move. However, Drua were level at halftime thanks to a brilliant finish by winger Selestino Ravutaumada, who resisted the efforts of three scrambling defenders to score out wide.

The Islanders then turned to their tight game to grab the decisive try, scrum-half Frank Lomani showed good opportunism to dot down off the back of some bruising pick-and-goes. 10 points off the boot of fly-half Isaiah Ravulu also proved decisive, his 76th-minute penalty put the game out of reach to spark jubilant scenes.

Drua captain Meli Derenalagi knew the victory's importance to the home crowd, who have now witnessed back-to-back home wins against the almighty Crusaders. He said: "This win is for the fans who always back us up." The win was also vital in the context of Drua's season. They'd lost their first two games to the Blues and to Pacific rivals Moana Pasifika, so their first home game had added pressure.