The Western Force have succumbed to an incredible Fijian Drua fightback, going down 29-24 at in their Round 2 Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s clash at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday afternoon.
The Force led 24-10 after Wallaroos scrum-half Sammy Wood’s converted 51st minute try, appearing destined for the side’s first-ever win in Fiji.
But the Drua hit back with a trio of tries inside a devastating 12-minute patch to turn the game, led by fly-half Varanisese Qoro who scored a double and replacement full-back Litiana Vueti who provided the spark.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Women's season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
The Force had late opportunities to pinch the win, in a thrilling climax, getting within two metres of the try line after a Cecilia Smith carry before the Drua tipped back a Force 5m lineout in the final 90 seconds.
It was a cruel end for the WA side who dominated possession and territory in the first half, leading 14-5 at the break after tries from Allana Sikimeti and Fijian flyer Adi Vani Buleki.
However, the Drua got their free-wheeling and instinctive game going in the second half and made the Force pay, with the visitors unable to hold them back. The Drua scored four second-half tries to the Force’s one.
The game marked Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke's milestone 25th Force cap, while five players debuted for the Force.
The Force, playing in their season opening game after the Round 1 bye, will look to bounce back in Perth next Saturday when the side hosts the Queensland Reds from 2:05pm at Wanneroo Rugby Union Club.
Earlier, the Force started the strongest, controlling possession with raid after raid before Allana Sikimeti went over in the 10th minute with Wood converting for a 7-0 lead.
The Drua weren’t without threat, bursting on the counter, with Anneka Stephens scrambling well. Wood’s kicking ensured Force territory but the side couldn’t capitalise on 5m lineouts.
Fijian 7s Olympian Buleki, who came on early for the injured Ella Pietsch, scored the second with speed down the right edge.
The Drua replied immediately before half-time when Josivini Naihamu burst through a gap from a lineout to make it 14-5 at the interval.
The Force padded their lead to 17-5 from a Wood penalty after a high tackle. The Drua narrowed the gap with a try down the right edge to Vueti.
Wood scored after the ball fortuitously fell to her following a lineout, with her conversion opening up a 14-point lead with half an hour to play.
But that only served to spark the Drua with Qoro scoring from a free-flowing move. The home side should’ve scored again on a break in a four-on-two situation, only for Vika Nakacia to knock on.
They didn’t need to wait long, with Aqela Raitubu’s burst down the left and Vueti’s conversion squaring the game at 24-24.
Two minutes later, Bueti’s clever grubber in behind the Force line enabled Qoro to complete her brace, putting the Drua up 29-24 for a game-winning lead despite the WA side’s late pressure.
Fijian Drua 29
Tries: Naihamu (37’), Vueti (48’), Qoro (56’, 68’), Raitubu (66’)
Conversions: Rokowati 0/1, Vueti 2/4
Penalties: Nil
Western Force 24
Tries: Sikimeti (10’), Buleki (35’), Wood (51’)
Conversions: Wood 3/3
Penalties: Wood 1/1
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Women's season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
