Super Rugby Pacific: What You Need To Know About Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes

Saturday, 8 March 2025, 6:34 pm
Article: RNZ

Jamie Wall, Digital Sports Journalist

Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes

Kickoff: 7.05pm, Saturday, 8 March

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

Live blog updates on RNZ Sport

This is the game everyone has been waiting for - Ardie Savea against his old team.

As Moana Pasifika skipper and clearly their most accomplished player, a lot will ride on Savea's performance, but it is worth remembering that Moana came home with a wet sail last weekend in their tight loss to the Highlanders.

The 'Canes will be hurting, after their tight loss to the Blues, and will need to find some results fast, if they are to make the same impact in the competition that they did in 2024.

Team lists

Moana Pasifika: 1. James Lay, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Sione Mafile'o, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa; 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Solomon Alaimalo, 15. William Havili

Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Samuel Slade, 20. Ola Tauelangi, 21. Aisea Halo, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Tevita Ofa

Hurricanes: 1. Siale Lauaki, 2. Jacob Devery, 3. Tevita Mafileo, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields (cc), 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Harry Godfrey, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Bailyn Sullivan, 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Ruben Love

Bench: 16. Nic Souchon, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Hugo Plummer, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 21. Cam Roigard, 22. Riley Hohepa, 23. Jone Rova

Moana selections

First-five Patrick Pellegrini gets his first start in Moana colours, after a very handy shift off the bench last weekend. The Tongan international controlled the game well in his side's comeback.

Lalomilo Lalomilo has recovered from concussion and returns to the starting line-up at centre, while Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole and Aisea Halo get their first run of the year off the bench.

Hurricanes selections

Ruben Love is back in 'Canes colours, after missing the first three rounds with injury, and takes his place at fullback.

A very powerful loose forward unit includes Brad Shields, Peter Lakai and Brayden Iose to start, with Du'Plessis Kirifi backing up on the bench. Nic Souchon and Jone Rova from the reserves as well.

Key stats

Moana Pasifika won 24-19 in their first meeting with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific (Round 6, 2022), but have lost all four of their meetings since and conceded an average of 53.8 points per game across those last four losses.

Two of the Hurricanes' three games this Super Rugby Pacific season have been won by the team trailing at halftime - the Hurricanes lost 25-33 to the Crusaders in Round 1, after leading 22-14 at half-time, and won 38-34 against the Fijian Drua in Round 2, after trailing 19-22 at the break.

Moana fullback William Havili has been directly involved in six tries - two tries and four try assists - more than any other player in the competition this season.

What they're saying

"It's our ability to handle expectation… sometimes it's a bit of over-trying. Everyone's trying their hardest, it's about understanding that it's doing your job to the best of your ability." - Moana coach Tana Umaga.

"It's never around individuals, but [Ardie] is a world class player, so it's about understanding his strengths. It's a really good test for us." - Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw.

Last time they met

Hurricanes 32 Moana Pasifika 24

A spirited performance by Moana last May saw them well in the game until the last five or so minutes, before the 'Canes closed it out with a couple of penalties. The result certainly summed up Moana's season, as they were almost there and just needed a bit of killer instinct to pull off an upset.

What's going to happen

This is a pretty intriguing game, because if Moana can pick up where they left off last weekend, they'll be more than a handful for a 'Canes side that have often been their own worst enemies this season. However, the added class of Love and Harry Godfrey's great form so far will give them a great deal of confidence, especially behind that very powerful loose forward trio.

© Scoop Media

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