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'I wasn't really thinking': Drua super sub reflects on 'unreal' debut vs Crusaders

(Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)

Fijian Drua debutant Kemu Valetini forged his name into Super Rugby history with an 83rd minute penalty goal against the champion Crusaders at Churchill Park on Saturday.

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Playing in front of their home fans for the first time this season, the Drua ensured that it was a day that the rugby world would never forget.

It will go down in history as one of the greatest upsets in the history of Super Rugby.

The match started as many expected; the Crusaders raced out to a commanding 12-nil lead midway through the first half, as they began to live up to their ‘favourites’ tag.

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But the Drua weren’t going to throw in the towel anytime soon. This is a team full of belief and passion, who were spurred on by the vibrant crowd in Lautoka.

While they went into the half-time break trailing by seven, the hosts later took the lead after tries to Ilaisa Droasese, Joseva Tamani and Eroni Sau.

With just 10 minutes to play, the Drua were on the cusp of rugby immortality. One of the greatest days in the history of Fijian rugby was within reach.

But the Crusaders hit back through Sevu Reece and Ioane Moananu, and regained the lead with less than a minute to run on the clock.

History had seemingly slipped through their grasp, but the Drua unleashed one final attacking onslaught on the Crusaders – and it worked.

The Drua were awarded a penalty after the full-time siren, and a debutant stepped up to complete the fairytale finish that his side had worked so tirelessly for.

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Kemu Valetini, the older brother of Wallabies loose forward Rob, said he “wasn’t really thinking much” as he lined up his famous shot at goal.

“To come on in the last five minutes with the game in the balance with the Crusaders, they’re a team that doesn’t go away, doesn’t matter how long the game goes for, they can play until the 90th minute if they really wanted to,” Valetini told RugbyPass.

“I wasn’t really thinking much to be honest.

“There was a lot going on, the crowd was loud, the boys were jumping on me because this is probably an opportunity for us to really put our mark on Super Rugby Pacific.

“I’ve done that kick a thousand times, probably a million times over in my head as a kid… I’ve had moments like that before where I probably haven’t executed the kick as well as I would have.

“It’s a massive step for myself and it just probably gave me a lot of confidence that I can handle the high pressure situations at Super Rugby.”

Valetini’s road to Super Rugby has been tough, but he’s persevered in the pursuit of his rugby dreams.

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At 28 years of age, Valetini has had to overcome a number of injuries en route to his Super Rugby debut.

The Fijian Drua hero has previously plied his trade with the Melbourne Rising, had a stint in Spain, and played for Manly in Sydney’ Shute Shield competition.

But for it all to play out the way it did on Saturday was simply “unreal.”

“To be on debut, it was crazy,” he added.

“I was just sitting on the sideline, it was ticking over 70 minutes and I was like, ‘I’m not sure if I’ll get on here.’

“One of the boys all game was just like, ‘Bro just be ready, you never know what’s gonna, you could get on, something could happen.’

“I didn’t get time to warm up or anything. To do that against the Crusaders, the defending champions and have my debut like that, especially the place where all my family were watching from the sidelines.

“Ultimately winning the game for Fijian Drua was unreal, was special, something I probably won’t forget for a very long time.”

Following the win over the Crusaders, the Fijian Drua sit in fifth place on this year’s Super Rugby Pacific standings after three rounds.

Next up, the Drua travel to Brisbane for a crunch clash against the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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