Waratahs snap winless streak against newcomers Fijian Drua in inaugural Super Rugby Pacific match

Losers no more, the NSW Waratahs have opened the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season with a drought-breaking 40-10 victory over popular and passionate newcomers Fijian Drua.

Backing up their impressive unbeaten trial run, the Waratahs ran in five tries to one on Friday night to banish at least some of the bitter memories of last year's humiliating winless campaign.

The bonus-point triumph snapped a 13-match losing streak stretching 538 days since the Waratahs beat the Melbourne Rebels in their final game of the 2020 Super Rugby AU season.

«It's been a long time since we've put on a performance like that, that we're really proud of,» Waratahs captain and man of the match Jake Gordon said.

«It's been a long pre-season, it's good to see the boys put on a performance like that against a challenging Fijian team.»

With high hopes of crashing the Waratahs' party, the Drua must have felt right at home in steamy, Suva-like conditions before kick-off at Parramatta's Western Sydney Stadium as an army of Fijian fans flooded through the gates for the historic encounter.

The Fijian fanatics were treated to an emotionally charged performance of Na Bole from the Drua, a spiritual pre-game war dance designed to steel the competition debutants for battle.

It looked to have done the trick early.

The Drua brought physicality to the equation as inspired captain and number eight Nemani Nagusa engaged in a set-to with Waratahs hard-man Lachie Swinton.

As promised, though, the Waratahs were happy to take the first points on offer through the trusty boot of fly half Ben Donaldson.

NSW's first try, in the 13th minute, then came through old-fashioned pick and drive, with Will Harris burrowing over next to the posts and Donaldson making it 10-0.

Donaldson