Hurricanes captain Brad Shields was almost lost for words after the ladder leaders overcame a “good test of character” with a 38-15 win over the Fijian Drua in Suva on Friday night.

With this being the Drua’s first home match at HFC Bank Stadium this season, the Hurricanes had to contend with a vibrant crowd on what looked like an incredible night under the lights in Fiji’s capital city.

But the Hurricanes, as commentator Greg Clarke mentioned, had “taken the crowd out it” before the break after running in four tries to the Drua’s one. Billy Proctor, Devan Flanders, Jordie Barret and James O’Reilly helped the visitors take a 21-point lead into the sheds.