Fullback Atelaite Buna scored three tries to steer the Fijian Drua to a 25-14 win, maintaining their course to defend their Super W title.
Buna scored in the 19th, 46th, and 80th minutes in front of a sell-out crowd in their semi-final match at the HFC Stadium in Suva today.
The Western Force seized the lead with a penalty in the 11th minute after Anasimeci Korovata was yellow-carded for a high tackle. Despite being a player down, the Drua scored their first via Buna after great work from Adita Milinia who opened up play. Flyhalf Jenniffer Ravutia missed the conversion but it was enough to put them in the lead. But the Force quickly reclaimed the lead 5-6 with a penalty in the 24th minute. They extended their lead three minutes later 5-11 with a try, before Korovatu crossed with a try right on half-time. Ravutia missed the conversion with the Force to see the Force lead 10-11 at the break. The Force extended their lead to four points in the 45th minute after another penalty before Buna sprinted down the right to score her second. The conversion was missed but the Drua reclaimed the lead 15-14, in what was to be the fourth and final lead change. Rokouono’s 67th-minute penalty extended the Drua’s lead before Buna raced clear to score her third try and the final points of the match.
The Drua will travel to Brisbane next Sunday to take on either the NSW Waratahs or ACT Brumbies in the Super W Grand Final, their third on the trot.
