The Fijian Drua have dropped to fourth in the Australian National Rugby Championship after a crushing 66-5 defeat in Canberra brought their winning run to a halt.
The Drua had arrived in the nation's capital top of the table after four rounds but the only categories they dominated on Friday night were turnovers conceded and missed tackles.
The Fijian Drua found the ball hard to hold on to against the Canberra Vikings. Photo: Supplied/Australian Rugby Union
Vikings winger Andy Muirhead scored the opening try in the fourth minute of the match and from there the home side never relinquished their lead, running in ten tries to one.
Coach Tim Sampson admitted he was surprised at just how well it went.
"It's a dream, you certainly hope so," he said of the way the game played out.
"But there were things that we focused on during the week when coming up against the Drua and thankfully tonight they did come off.
"That's credit to the players stood out there to execute what we practised during the week."
A rare highlight for the Drua in Canberra. Photo: Supplied/Australian Rugby Union
Despite losing their previous two matches, Sampson felt the team's performances had been positive and hoped Friday's result will give the squad "that little bit of extra belief" in how they can play.
"We've been reasonably happy with how we're going, especially with our defence, so in attack what was a big focus for us this week and that was
holding onto the ball and starving Fiji of possession, which we did quite well," he said.
The Fijian Drua were brought down from a massive height against the Vikings. Photo: Supplied/Australian Rugby Union
Queensland Country are the new competition leaders, after thumping Melbourne Rising 54-12, while the top four teams, including Canberra, Perth and the Drua, all have 15 points and are only separted by points differential.
All nine teams have managed at least one win in the first five rounds and Tim Sampson believed anyone can beat anyone.
The Drua are on the road again this weekend, away to the Greater Sydney Rams.
