Reds survive incredible Drua fightback in Brisbane

The Reds survived a late rally by the Fijian Drua to maintain their unbeaten start to the Super Rugby Pacific season with a 33-28 win at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

SCORECARD | Super Rugby Pacific - Reds v Fijian Drua

The hosts got off to a fast start as Jordan Petaia was able to use his pace to beat Baden Kerr round the outside after some neat handling through the backline in the fifth minute.

Teti Tela hit back for the visitors with a ninth-minute penalty and they perhaps should have got more but for some sloppy handling in the final third.

After weathering a long period of pressure, the hosts extended their lead in the 23rd minute with some more slick backline play.

It went through the hands out wide before a quick change in direction by Hunter Paisami's inside pass put Harry Wilson through and over. James O'Connor knocked over the conversion to make it 10-3.

Tela kept his side within striking distance with another penalty in the 26th minute before the Drua had a try chalked off for an unfortunate forward pass in the build-up.

Then, in a sensational moment around the half-hour mark, three players were all shown yellow cards at the same time.

Josh Nasser was sent to the bin for a high shot on Meli Derenalagi, Harry Hoopert got his marching orders for a late hit on Peni Matawalu in the same attack and Samuela was given some cool off time for foul play at the ruck.

The Fijian Drua had another try chalked off in the 35th minute when Vinaya Habosi was held up over the line. O'Connor added a penalty for the Reds before halftime to make it 15-6 at the break.

Tela and O'Connor exchanged penalties after the interval before a stiff driving maul by the Reds gave them their third try of the match through Josh Nasser to bring the score to