NSW Waratahs beat Fijian Drua 50-35 to strengthen Super Rugby finals hopes

The NSW Waratahs strengthened their Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes with a 50-35 win over the Fijian Drua in Suva on Saturday, overcoming a late push from the home side to secure a bonus-point victory at HFC Bank Stadium. The result extended NSW’s recovery after a difficult period and kept their path to postseason rugby alive heading into the final rounds.

NSW coach Dan McKellar made major changes for the match and was forced into a late adjustment after star centre Joseph Aukuso Suaalii was ruled out with hamstring tightness. Suaalii had injured his hamstring in a warm-up against the Hurricanes two months earlier and reported the same area feeling tight ahead of the Drua game. The Waratahs said his omission was precautionary. Triston Reilly moved to outside centre, with Sid Harvey promoted from the bench to start on the wing.

The Waratahs arrived without multiple regulars, including Wallabies Pete Samu, Angus Blyth and Andrew Kellaway due to injury, as well as Ethan Dobbins, Joey Walton and Tom Lambert. McKellar therefore reshuffled his back line and front row depth, and NSW’s performance proved effective even as Drua later narrowed the gap.

NSW scored early through Harry...