Blues power to win over Drua

The Blues have given the finals hopes a massive boost after an easy 34-5 win over the Fijian Drua.

It vaults them into the top six as their front-rower delivered the damage.

Props Marcel Renata, Joshua Fusitu’a and Angus Ta’avao all crossed the line as the visitors came away with full points.

The Blues had an early try disallowed but couldn’t be stopped shortly afterwards as tight-head Renata rumbled over from close in the sixth minute.

The visitors were in control to start the game and kept the pressure on as the Drua held their calm at breakdown time.

Eventually, the hosts’ defence broke when scrum-half Taufa Funaki dummied and went through a gap on the goal-line.

Joshua Fusitu’a got in on the front-row action to extend the lead just after the half hour mark.

It was the loosehead’s first Super Rugby try in his 35th game for the club as they took a 22-0 lead into the break.

The Blues picked up where they left off as replacement prop Angus Ta’avao made it a hat-trick of prop tries when he spun and dived over with his first touch of the night.

The visitors were in complete control throughout the game as the Fijian Drua had little answer to their forward pack.

It set up Cole Forbes to waltz in for the easiest of tries after a several man overlap leaving the winger to stroll over the line.

The Drua eventually got on the scoreboard with five minutes to go when cult hero Selestino Ravutaumada powered his way over the line in the corner.

The win sees the Blues sitting in fifth on the ladder for the time being, overtaking the Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika.

Meanwhile, the Drua remain on the bottom of the ladder as they prepare to host the Western Force next week.

Blues 34 (Tries: Renata, Fusitu’a, Ta’avao, Forbes, Funaki; Cons: Barrett 3; Pens: Barrett) def Drua 5 (Tries: Ravutaumada)

Fiji Drua: 15 Ponipate Loganimasi, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Vuate Karawalevu, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Taniela Rakuro, 10 Kemu Valetini, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Kitione Salawa, 7 Isoa Tuwai, 6 Joseva Tamani, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge (captain), 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Sailosi Vukalokalo, 20 Elia Canakiavata, 21 Philip Baselala, 22 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23 Isikeli Rabitu.

Blues: 15 Corey Evans, 14 Cole Forbes, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Xavi Taele, 11 AJ Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Taufa Funaki, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Anton Segner, 5 Laghlan McWhannell, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Joshua Fusitu’a.
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Adrian Choat, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Zarn Sullivan.

Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Jeremy Markey, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Damon Murphy