Moana Pasifika secured their fourth win of the Super Rugby Pacific season with a massive 34-15 win over the Drua at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland.
Tana Umaga’s men took out the ‘Battle of the Pacific’ in what was their best performance yet of the season with Captain Aride Savea leading his troops from the front.
The centre pairing of Manu Samoa’s Lalomilo Lalomilo and Danny Tooala disrupted the Fijian defense.
A Lalomilo break saw him release the ball as he was brought down a metre from the line to a supporting Toala, who dived over the line to register Moana Pasifika’s first try.
Samuel Slade regained his starting position this week and showed his usual consistent form, head down and getting the job done.
Local Samoan born and bred player Miracle Failagi continued his brilliant form claiming a double, with other tries coming through Danny Toala, Julian Savea, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa and Tevita Ofa.
This week also saw a brand new front row for Moana Pasifika in Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, and Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou.
The Fijians came into the game from an impressive 28-14 outing against the Waratahs at home, while Moana were humbled 24-0 by the Brumbies in Pukekohe.
Both sides needed the win in a match had all the excitement, flair and physicality of a Pacific rugby battle.
“It was tough out there, very physical,” said Fijian captain Mesulame Dolokoto in the post-match interviews.
“We knew Moana Pasifika was going to be tough and physical. We didn’t make use of the possession we had and didn’t take our chances.”
Ardie Savea who is leading the Super Rugby Pacific points tally for player of the year, said it was tough all the way through to the final whistle.
“It was very physical,” he said.
“Very tough, the scoreline did not reflect what was going on in the field. There was an arm wrestle all the way.”
A sell-out crowd of just over 10,000 packed the North Harbour Stadium and were treated to a fantastic show of Pacific rugby.
Julian Savea, playing his 300th first class match led both teams out onto field.
It was also the first time the Savea brothers played together in Moana Pasifika colours. They had started playing together for their Oriental Rogotai club in Wellington over 20 years ago.
Going into the game the Fijian Drua had won four of the team’s clashes, since 2022.
PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fine Inisi, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalamilo, Tevita Ofa, William Havili
Replacements: Tomasi Maka, Monu Moli, Chris Apoua, Allan Craigm Sione Havili Talitui, Melani Matavao, Patrick Pellegrini, Julian Savea
- Ardie Savea returns after his week off and starts in the back-row.
- Jackson Garden-Bachop reclaims the starting flyhalf position, with Patrick Pellegrini on the bench.
- Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, and Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou form a brand new front-row partnership
DRUA (1-15): Peni Ravai, Mesulame Dolokoto (c), Samu Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Motikiai Murray, Kitione Salawa, Simione Kuruvoli, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ponipate Longanimasi, Isikeli Rabitu, Inia Tabuavou, Taniela Rakuro, Vuate Karawalevu
Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Meli Tuni, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Elia Canakaivata, Leone Nawai, Kemu Valetini, Selestino Ravutaumada
- Isikeli Rabitu shows off his versatility, named in the centres.
- Kitione Salawa is elevated to number eight, moving Elia Canakaivata to the bench.
- Tevita Ikanivere and Vuate Karawalevu return to the matchday 23.
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