All Black Ardie Savea ruled out of Moana Pasifika’s clash with Chiefs

All Blacks backrower Ardie Savea will miss Moana Pasifika’s round six Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Chiefs in Pukekohe after picking up an injury earlier this month.  It’s understood Savea suffered a hamstring injury during Moana’s famous 40-31 win over the Hurricanes.

Savea headlines a significant list of casualties in the injury ward for Moana ahead of this Friday’s match, with James Lay (elbow), Julian Savea (knee), Lotu Inisi (hamstring), Sione Havili Talitui (ankle), Neria Fomai (knee), Danny Toala (knee), and Solomon Alaimalo (shoulder) also out.

This will be the first match Savea has missed for Moana since debuting for the club in a dramatic round one loss to the Western Force in Perth. Savea has been one of the competition’s best up until this point, including two tries in as many appearances against the Reds and Highlanders.

Coach Tana Umaga has named second rower Tm Savage as Moana’s captain, with the Pasifika side chasing back-to-back upset wins over favoured New Zealand opposition. The Chiefs are currently first on the standings with a loss to the Fijian Drua the only blip on their record.

Moana’s hat-trick hero against the Hurricanes, Miracle Failagi, shifts from blindside flanker to openside in Savea’s absence. Ola Tauelangi and Semisi Tupou Ta’elioa are the other staring loose forwards for this fixture at Navigation Homes Stadium.

Rising Manu Samoa star Tuna Tuitama is in line to debut off the bench.

“I’m so excited and humbled to have this opportunity,” Tuitama said in a statement. “I can’t wait to get out there and play with the boys.”

Abraham Pole comes into the run-on side at loosehead prop, while Millennium Sanerivi and Sione Mafileo packing down as the other front rowers. Captain Savage and Allani Craig round out the starting five as the locking duo.

In the backs, Samoan international Jonathan Taumateine will combine with Patrick Pellegrini once again – with the fly-half starring against the Hurricanes last time out at Albany’s North Harbour Stadium.

Lalomilo Lalomilo and Pepesana Patatilo are the centre pairing, while Tonga’s Kyren Taumoefolau will line up on the left wing, with Losi Filipo on the right. William Havili has been named at fullback.

There will be 250 students from Pukekohe’s Wesley College watching on, which coach Umaga explained is special those who have ties to Counties Manukau.

“A few of our players and staff are Wesley Old Boys so it means a lot to them” coach Umaga reflected. “My connections out south, being with Counties for a long time, I know how much that school means to that area.

“Taking a game back out to our communities in South Auckland are a big part of who we are. We also want to build on our last performance and our previous performances before that. We know what worked for us, what hasn’t and we’ve got to keep putting these consistent performances together.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

0

Draws

0

Wins

5

Average Points scored

18

59

First try wins

100%

Home team wins

40%

Moana Pasifika to take on Chiefs

First XV: Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Sione Mafile’o, Tom Savage (c), Allan Craig, Ola Tauelangi, Miracle Faillagi, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Pepesana Patafilo, Losi Filipo, William Havili

Replacements: Sama Malolo, Tito Tuipulotu, Chris Apoua, Michael Curry, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, Tevita Ofa, Tuna Tuitama