Fijian Drua vs Blues: The boot of Barrett, return of silky Sotutu

Two of Super Rugby Pacific’s biggest underachievers met on Friday night in Suva, in a contest that promised unpredictability.

However, it quickly became clear what kind of night it would be as the Blues shot out to an early lead. While you can never rule out the Fijian Drua, no matter what the deficit, with the few opportunities on offer being squandered, the wooden spoon edged closer.

A consolation try 76th minute saw the Drua avoid a goose-egg scoreline, but did little to gloss over what was a comprehensive defeat to the reigning champions. The Blues end the game, momentarily, back in the top six.

Fixture

Super Rugby Pacific

Fijian Drua

5 - 34

Full-time

Blues

All Stats and Data

Here are some takeaways from the Blues’ win.

Return of silky Sotutu 

Hoskins Sotutu’s 2024 campaign has been disrupted and relatively quiet, at least by the remarkably high standards he set himself a season ago.

In Fiji, though, the 26-year-old’s fingerprints were all over the Blues’ best moments. Linebreaks, breakdown steals, try assists, you name it, Sotutu was productive.

The fringe All Black kept the tempo high when the Blues could benefit from it, and killed Fijian momentum when getting involved defensively.

His try assist was a deft touch from the base of the ruck, taking a step towards the defence to draw attention before dishing it to Josh Fusitu’a. It was a play that showed the respect the No. 8 demands with the ball in hand close to the line, and his skillset as a playmaker.

Sotutu finished the night with 10 carries and 10 tackles without a miss.

Drua defence takes beating

The Drua make the least amount of tackles per game in Super Rugby Pacific, understandably preferring to play with the ball and utilise their many, many attacking weapons.

On Friday, their average of 126 tackles per game was almost eclipsed in the opening half hour alone, and it was only a more even second half when it comes to possession that kept the Fijians to 166 total tackles for the game.

A success rate of 86 per cent was registered, surrendering nine linebreaks and 11 penalties. The Drua have been one of Super Rugby’s best-disciplined teams in 2025, but handed the Blues far too many opportunities on Friday night.

AJ Lam is All Blacks quality

Lam, one of the most versatile backs in Super Rugby, came of age during the Blues’ title run last year, establishing himself as a robust inside centre.

With Caleb Clarke nursing an injury, Lam has transferred his form to the left edge seamlessly, proving yet again to be one of the best two-way backs New Zealand has to offer.

Three dominant tackles was the best mark achieved in Friday’s game, and came from just seven successful attempts – there was one miss. With the Drua opting to go wide more than any other team in Super Rugby, this game was a good test of the Blues’ backs’ defensive decision-making, a test Lam passed with flying colours.

From a famous rugby family, the 26-year-old’s instincts see him pop up in the right place at the right time whenever the game calls for it. He was called into the All Blacks late in the 2024 season as injury cover.

Pace, physicality and instinct make him superb cover for both the edge and midfield. His hand is well and truly up for higher honours, and we know how much Scott Robertson loves versatility.

The boot of Barrett

The Blues played in the Fijian Drua’s 22 for over half of the time they had possession on Friday, largely thanks to the boot of Beauden Barrett getting them there.

The Drua’s discipline offered the Blues plenty of opportunities, but Barrett’s 11 kicks in play steered his team expertly throughout his 80-minute performance.

With territory on their side, the Blues were able to roll up their sleeves like they love to do, scoring their four opening tries just one pass from the ruck.

It’s very rare you see teams play so consistently in the opponent’s 22, but Friday’s game was a territorial reincarnation of the Blues’ narrow loss to the Crusaders a few weeks ago.

In that contest, the Aucklanders were held out, time and time again, going down in the 81st minute to a James O’Connor penalty.

Having come away with just 22 points against the Crusaders, Friday’s tally of 34 will be a relief to coach Vern Cotter. Even with that tally coming against the least accurate defensive side in the competition, the Blues will take confidence from being able to play where they need to and finding ways to get over the line.

The Blues managed 15 22m entries, while the Drua managed just three.