The Fijian Drua will be back in action in three weeks' time when Super Rugby Pacific kicks off, and they will start off their 2025 campaign by playing host to the Brumbies in Suva. RFC Los Angeles' season in Major League Rugby kicks off the same weekend, with them playing host to the New England Free Jacks.

It was only slightly better in the lineouts. Both sides had some loose tap-downs that landed in the wrong hands, but both teams also set some strong rolling mauls to make great ground, and both scored tries thanks to their mauls. Los Angeles found themselves under the pump against the Drua's mauls, giving away a couple of penalties as they struggled to find a legal way to halt the drive.

The scrums also left plenty to be desired. There was barely a single scrum that didn't have to either be reset or given as a free kick or a penalty. Early on it was the Los Angeles side under the pump at the set piece, but the Drua found themselves under pressure at times as well in the second half. They did put in a couple of excellent shoves though, winning some penalties as they put Los Angeles under pressure.

It wasn't exactly pretty at times, with those start-of-the-season niggles very evident for both sides. The handling was just plain sloppy at times, particularly as the bodies started tiring towards the end of the match. It was particularly frustrating from a Drua perspective, with the home side looking strong at times with some great running and offloading only to be undone by messy passing, but it certainly cost the Los Angeles outfit at times as well.

It was RFC Los Angeles who struck first in the opening few minutes, looking strong with some well flowing rugby, but the Drua hit back just a couple of minutes later to level the scores. There was never more than 7 points between the two sides at any point in the match, which is a fairly indicative of the game on the pitch as well.

It ended up being a tight clash in Lautoka! They were all square at halftime, trading tries throughout the first half and well into the second. It was the home side that finally broke the deadlock in the final few minutes of the match with Motikiai Murray crossing for the final score of the game to split the sides on the scoreboard and secure then win for the Fijian Drua.

Tap and go from LA, and they spread it infield through the hands to drive up to the 10. Quick shift out to the left, and knocked into touch. Referee has finally run out of time, and that's the game!

Not straight in the lineout! And still there's time!

Huge shove from the Drua again! They have the advantage as they send it infield, and that's a 50/22 on a stunning kick!