Fijian Drua up and running in Super Rugby with superb win over Rebels

The Fijian Drua secured their first win in Super Rugby Pacific after coming from 14 points down to beat the Melbourne Rebels 31-26.

The newcomers from Fiji suffered heavy losses in weeks one and two and looked in danger of copping another drubbing when the Rebels scored two early tries, but they produced a superb fightback to turn the tables on their Australian opponents, with both their forwards and backs coming to the party in a superb all-round display.

The Rebels were ahead inside two minutes after excellent phase play took them to the line before a couple of smart offloads saw the ball shifted wide for winger Young Tonumaipea to score in the corner.

The Drua nearly hit back as they moved it all the way up the field and into the Rebels 22, but a knock-on saw all their good work undone.

After earning a scrum penalty and kicking for touch the Drua came running at the Rebels again, putting together several good phases before Vinaya Habosi broke through the middle of the ruck and shrugged off several defenders to score. Unfortunately for the home side, a TMO check ruled out the try as the winger had picked the ball up from an offside position.

The Drua were playing good rugby and enjoying most of the possession but crucial little errors at inopportune times continued to hold them back. Some desperate defence on their own goal line also managed to keep the Rebels out just before the half-hour mark when the Aussie outfit looked certain to score.

HISTORY!The @Fijian_Drua record their first ever Super Rugby win!#REBvDRU #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/Uq3Uw2Cwhn

The Rebels kept coming, however, and after being warned for repeated infringements, Drua lock Ratu Rotuisolia was sent to the bin for 10 minutes. From the ensuing