Highlanders end the loss of losses against Drua Furious

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The highlanders broke a series of four -game losses with a solid 43-20 win over Fijian Drua at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.

They did not always reach the highest mark and put themselves in real danger when they suffered three attempts in the first 13 minutes of the second half.

But they ended strongly and did the job, which they really needed to do after a rugged and unsuccessful month in Super Rugby.

The highlanders have also won a bonus point, which means they are back in the seventh, only two points out of a place in playoffs.

There will be some confidence on how they responded to the DRUA’s furious return and how they defended at important times.

Other high points included the emotional-and-safe return Jacob RatumaTavuki-Kneepkens after his broken neck, a double for the exciting taniela Filimone wing in the debut and good changes to strikers Hugh Renton, Fabian Holland and Sefo Kautai.

It was a strange first half that never reached great heights, but had some fun passages.

The highlanders completely dominated the territory, but failed to obtain the consistency that they were really seeking to get the scoring buzz.

On the other hand, the DRUA were playing like 15 individuals. This is a terribly cliche thing to say about a Fiji Rugby team, but sometimes you can’t deny the truth.

Filimone gave Highlanders the perfect beginning with his first touch of the ball in Super Rugby.

Jona Nareki cut a gap and gave her Extrema Fijian companion to perhaps the fastest and easiest attempt he will mark.

Some highland kicks came out at most, which was quite ugly, but they jumped later under almost identical circumstances, when Filimone received his double in 14 minutes.

Much of the rest of the first half consisted of “almost” moments.

The highlanders almost entered the perfect position to mark a third attempt, but produced one of the worst attack lineouts of the season.

Nareki created a delicious chip and regatch that almost took to points, and the DRUA – which fell numerous aerial balls – almost marked an attempt, but had the last man that Filimone.

When Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula kicked a late penalty to do 12-3, there was an uncomfortable feeling that the highlanders simply did not make enough to capitalize on their obvious superiority.

The nerves were dissipated when they flew to attack in the final seconds and Thomas Umga-Jonsen marked his first attempt in almost two years.

Those nerves returned with revenge with a spectacular beginning of the second half that presented four attempts – three for the Fijians – within 13 minutes of opening.

Isikeli Rabitu ran a poor Falau Fakatava Clearing Kick behind 40m only 30 seconds in the middle.

While the Highlanders responded with an attempt to see Lasaqa approved by the TMO of a line, the Draa promptly scored again, as its company was combined with slippery accuracy.

The quick hands were followed in the middle -Field Simione Kurovoli plunging into two defenders.

Then came a genuine staggering when the DRUA countered from inside its own half, and the Flying Wing of Loganimasi flew forward and scored.

You could almost see the highlanders opening your wide eyes in shock as they reflected in a terrible stretch of the game.

Things seemed dark when the DRUA returned to the attack, but instead there was a game ticket that possibly saved the Landers season.

The Fijians were threatening before RatumaTavuki-Kneepkens took an interception and tied the ball clean.

Kurovoli was then on a yellow card for a deliberate KnockDown, the highlanders had a line of attack and substitute prostitute Jack Taylor scored from the subsequent unit.

It was time, almost for the highlanders to breathe a sigh of relief.

The DRUA threatened again, more than once, but could not make the final passes stick.

There was time for the highlanders to mark a fifth attempt, Tanielu Tele’a moved after a short kick was placed in Ratumavuki-Kneepkens, then a sixth, a counterattack leaving Ratumeitavuki-Kneepkens clear to feed Sam Gilbert for the score.

This was a 21st consecutive loss outside Fiji for the DRUA, as ugly a statistic as any other in the competition.

Highlanders go to Hamilton next weekend to play second -placed Chiefs.