Fijian Drua keep title defence hopes alive after 40-36 win against Melbourne Rising in NRC match

The Fiji Airways Fijian Drua have kept their title defence hopes alive after a 40-36 comeback win against Melbourne Rising in the National Rugby Championship in Australia tonight.

Melbourne Rising led the Fijian Drua 26-7 at halftime.

The Fijian Drua scored six tries in the match with five tries scored in the second half.

🙌 Great hands! The @FijianDrua have stormed into a 28-26 lead over the Melbourne Rising #NRC19
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/GKGKg12LIH pic.twitter.com/AOY4zAtHpl

— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) October 5, 2019

Peceli Nacebe scored the Fijian Drua's only try in the first half.

Replacement wing Jiuta Wainiqolo scored a double in the match with other tries coming from halfback Serupepeli Vularika, Ratunaisa Navuma and Cyril Reece.

😲 Jiuta Wainiqolo with an amazing solo effort! The @FijianDrua completed a superb second half comeback to beat the Melbourne Rising 40-36 #NRC19
MORE: https://t.co/GKGKg12LIH pic.twitter.com/gxbkVPDwkQ

— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) October 5, 2019

The top four teams qualify for the semifinals and the Fijian Drua are in fourth place at the moment with 13 points.  

After Round 6, the Canberra Vikings have booked a place in the semifinals.