Qoro masterclass seals Fijiana Drua fifth straight Super Rugby Women's finals berth

Fijiana Drua secured a fifth consecutive Super Rugby Women’s finals berth with a commanding 50-17 victory over Queensland at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday, flyhalf Varanisese Qoro driving the performance with a try, two assists, and the kind of pace that left the Reds’ defence in disarray.

Knowing a win would seal a top-four finish, the Drua were dominant from the opening whistle and never relinquished control. Qoro’s contribution was central to that dominance, her charge-down try and sharp distribution helping the visitors move 11 points clear of fifth-placed Queensland — who have just two points — with one round of the regular season remaining.

The result also keeps alive Drua’s ambitions of claiming a first minor premiership since 2022, though second-placed defending premiers NSW sit eight points back with two games in hand, meaning the title race remains tight at the top.

“We knew they were a physical team, and leading into this week, our first focus was our first 20 minutes,” Drua captain Kolora Lomani said. “We knew that the Reds were going to bring it to us, but big up to the girls for holding up.”

Young gun Josivini Naihamu opened the scoring by tearing through the middle of Queensland’s defence, before Qoro added her own try off a charge-down. Prop Tiana Robanakadavu and winger Aqela Raitubu extended the lead, and although Wallaroos star Eva Karpani produced a contender for try of the season — shaking off multiple defenders to ground the ball centimetres from the sideline — the Drua responded emphatically. Back-rower Sulita Waisega scooped up a loose ball on the stroke of halftime to send the teams in at 33-5.

The second half brought more of the same. Qoro’s footwork unlocked space for Litiana Vueti to score, before substitute Verenaisi Ditavutu rolled over in the 68th minute to push the margin beyond 30. Queensland’s wingers Piper Flynn and Mary Tuaana scored late consolation tries, but the result was never in doubt.

For Queensland, the afternoon only deepened a difficult season. Still without a win, their slim top-four hopes now depend on beating the Waratahs next Sunday — a result that would also require other results to fall their way.