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AAP
AAP
National
Adrian Warren

Drua prove too strong for Reds to reach Super W decider

Kolora Lomani put in a big performance for the Fijian Drua to earn her team a grand-final spot. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

Fijian Drua have booked their first Super W home grand-final appearance with a convincing 31-5 win over an outgunned Queensland Reds in Lautoka, Fiji.

The minor premiers and two-time competition winners scored five tries to one, with captain and halfback Kolora Lomani crossing twice after halftime.

Victory set up a grand final clash with six-time champions the NSW Waratahs, who beat Western Force 33-22 in Saturday's other semi-final in Perth.

Fijian Drua
Fijian Drua's convincing win over the Reds has set up a home grand final. (Robbie Stephenson/AAP PHOTOS)

Drua's pack was powerful in the set pieces and dynamic in the loose, their strong running and support play punishing the Reds.

Queensland competed well early, but two tries in three minutes just before the half-hour swung the match at Churchill Park in favour of the hosts.

Drua opened the scoring through a well constructed multi-phase try in the 11th minute to flanker Salaseini Railumu.

The Reds hit back with winger Charlie Brigstocke rounding off a sweeping more by fending off two defenders in a 45-metre dash to the line.

Drua took control with prop Karalaini Naisewa bulldozing over the line and winger Atelaite Buna crossing from a cutout pass to set up their 19-5 halftime lead.

Karalaini Naisewa
Karalaini Naisewa crossed over for Fijian Drua against the Queensland Reds. (Scott Radford-Chisholm/AAP PHOTOS)

They tightened their stranglehold by scoring the first try of the second half, despite being a player down at the time.

The home team was reduced to 14 in the 39th minute when referee Jess Ling sin-binned flanker Nunia Daunimoala for illegal head contact.

The Reds defence was pierced in the 48th minute, when Lomani dummied her way through from 20 metres out.

Drua continued to press and dominate and the Reds failed to mount sustained pressure, with Lomani again dummying her way through and beating two players for her second try in the 64th minute.

"It was the good job from the (Drua) ladies that gave me the gap to be able to score the tries," Lomani told Stan Sports, after their fourth-straight win.

"We knew the Reds were going to give us the hard game and we came out on top, we're excited for the home final."

Bemrose
Jemma Bemrose came agonisingly close to scoring a try for Queensland Reds. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Queensland almost got a second try in the final minute of the game, but captain and lock Jemma Bemrose was stopped just short of the line after a barnstorming long distance run.

"Wow, the Drua are just an electric team," Bemrose told Stan Sport.

"We were disappointed to not get the win today and not make it into the final, but still really proud of our girls."

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