Fijian Drua

The purchase is worth $6 million Fiji dollars, equivalent to $3 million US dollars.

It was announced as part of the Revised National Budget, in the Fiji Parliament Thursday night by Minister of Finance Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

The Minister also explained that it had acquired a 51 percent share in Counter Ruck Pte Limited, which was established to manage and operate the Drua team.

Centre Bayley Kuenzle proved the hero after the siren, with his 83rd minute penalty goal after 23 phases sealing a crucial 20-18 win for the Force.

The Force braved a frantic opening to proceedings in muddy conditions to open the scoring through former All Black Jeremy Thrush.

The veteran lock powered over from a rolling maul set-piece play in the 18th minute for his 11th career Super Rugby try.

Drua fought back to curb the Force's early scoreboard pressure to register their first try of the match through winger Vinaya Habosi in the 32nd minute.

The tournament newcomers went into Friday night's match as underdogs following heavy defeats to the Waratahs and Brumbies in the opening two rounds.

Following the game, the Drua head coach Mick Byrne said he was pleased the team stuck with their plan.

"I said it last week, and we have been training well, we have been training our game well, and I think just getting use to the fact that the physical nature of Super Rugby and as I've said, I'm pretty much repeating myself again, I'm proud about the boys went about their task," Byrne said

The Drua, boasting just one man in five-eighth Baden Kerr with Super Rugby experience, lost 40-10 to the NSW Waratahs in Friday’s opening round.

Byrne’s side scored the game’s last try though and had their moments early, handling errors scuppering their progress before the Tahs got into stride.

There was no love lost between the sides in a niggling scrum battle, while the Drua learnt quickly how teams might plan to wreck plans of an up-tempo offence.

Both teams scored four tries each, however, the Drua converted all of theirs.

Drua’s tries were scored by Tevita Ikanivere, Ratu Rotuisolia, Joseva Tamani and Vinaya Habosi.

Head Coach Mick Byrne tested out different combinations and will now have a fair idea who will make the starting 15 against the Waratahs next week.

NZR chief executive Mark Robinson, NZR board member Sir Michael Jones, Moana Pasifika Steering Committee co-chair Pelenato Sakalia and Former All Black Sir Bryan George 'BeeGee' Williams announced the move at 2pm this afternoon.

Moana Pasifika is a combined Samoa and Tonga side and is likely to be based in South Auckland, while the Fiji side is set to be based in Suva.

The Drua remain in third place after the 24-17 defeat to Queensland Country in Lautoka at the weekend, their second loss in three games.

Senirusi Seruvakula said the crowd turned up in numbers and they had a lot of opportunities to win but made too many simple mistakes.

"It was a very disappointing result that we [did] not expect it," he said.

"The boys just played overconfident - there were a lot of indisciplined errors and 50/50 passes and that showed in the result.

"At the same time Queensland Country were prepared on the gameday."

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.

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.

The defending champion Spirit are the competition's top try-scorers, have made the most attacking metres and clean breaks, beaten the most defenders and won the most turnovers.

Both teams are level on ten points with two wins from three games but the only stats the Fijians lead the competition in are yellow cards and penalties conceded.

Head coach Senirusi Seruvakula says the Drua are looking forward to playing in front of a big home crowd in Suva with a chance to go clear at the top of the table.

The Drua are second on points differential after winning two of their first three matches and host reigning champions Perth Spirit in Suva tomorrow afternoon.

Fiji-born Tuqiri says World Rugby deserve praise for getting behind the Drua team.

"You've only just seen the tip of the iceberg - they've played three games, they've won two and the ones that they have won have been pretty convincing," he said.

"It's entertaining rugby, it's not your stock-standard like we get in Australia.