And traditional powerhouse Queensland Reds' third-straight loss, their first in competition history to the ACT Brumbies, kept last year's beaten finalists rooted to the bottom of the ladder.
Days of downpours in Fiji left the pitch waterlogged for Saturday's match, and it was the Drua who made the most of their chances despite their mounting penalty count.
The Drua led 12-0 at halftime, but they looked vulnerable when Force lock Rosie Ebbage scored a 45th-minute try from a rolling maul immediately after the visitors had received two yellow cards.
Despite only having 13 players on the field, Drua hit back in the 50th minute when inside centre Merewai Cumu found a gap and barged through for a try.
It proved to be the killer blow, with the Force unable to break through for a score after that despite spending long periods camped near their tryline.
A MIGHTY individual effort from Adita Milinia 😤— Rugby Australia (@RugbyAU) #SuperRugbyW #DRUvFOR pic.twitter.com/QfYz3X0cVEMarch 30, 2024
"Fiji brought it today, that's their conditions, they love transition rugby, and they beat us around the park today," Force captain Trilleen Pomare said.
"They deserved that win.
"We couldn't capitalise, we've got to be better."
The result marked the Force's first loss of the season after opening their campaign with impressive wins over the Rebels and Reds.
The Drua, who lost 62-21 to the Waratahs last week, committed 15 penalties to six, giving the Force excellent field position.
The Force's powerful rolling maul was a major weapon, and one that should have netted them a number of tries.
But wayward throws at the line-out cost them time and again, while the handling errors in open play also cruelled their hopes, along with failed kicks for touch.
The highlight of the match came in the 34th minute when Drua winger Adita Milinia produced an outstanding individual running effort to score.
Captain Siokapesi Palu breaks the line as the Brumbies dominated the Reds in Brisbane. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)
At Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane later on Saturday, the Brumbies dominated field position and possession with winger Jemima McCalman scoring a first-half double in the 31-14 triumph.
Prop Liz Patu's barnstorming solo effort from the base of the ruck in her 50th game gave the Reds hope approaching halftime.
The visitors made the most of some luck on the buzzer though, Faitala Moleka gathering the rebound when her penalty kick hit the upright.
Captain Siokapesi Palu scored and Reds back Shalom Sauaso was yellow-carded for a professional foul.
Constant turnovers and some brutal defence meant the Brumbies remained camped in the Reds' half, Tabua Tuinakauvadra's try sealing the result as the visitors moved to 2-1.
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