'Amazing occasion': Ardie Savea on the 'Battle of the Pacific'

One of the best fixtures on the Super Rugby Pacific calendar took place on Saturday afternoon between Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua at North Harbour Stadium in Albany.

The matchup between the two Pacific teams is always fascinating to watch, and the round eleven game was no different, with Moana Pasifika pushing themselves out to a 22-point lead before a spirited second-half comeback by the Fijian Drua put pressure on the home side during the second half.

Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea was quick to explain how proud he is to be a part of such an important game, especially with how much these two teams have in common.

“But it was an amazing occasion for the Pacific, to play against the Fijian Drua brothers and bringing the Pacific and all cultures together tonight, it’s what rugby is about,” Savea said to media post-match at North Harbour Stadium.

“To get us together at the end of the game, we have very similar upbringings and it’s just a nice opportunity to say thank you to our Drua brothers and family.

“I think everyone sees it in terms of what we’re both achieving, what we’re trying to do as both clubs, we’re trying to forge a way ahead for our people. It was just great, everyone talked about the Battle of the Pacific.

“Where our cultures are virtually the same respect for who we are, our respect for our faith, which is kind of first and foremost, and to see that all coming together as you say, it touches the heart and makes it all worth what we’re doing.”

Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga was pleased with his side’s ability to get the job done but admits there are some sore bodies in camp after a bruising encounter.

“Obviously very happy with the victory, but we were made to work hard for it in that first half an hour, we were talking about that on the way here, we just got into a bit of an arm wrestle, and our defence really held up against them.

“It’s been something that we’ve worked on in the last few weeks, and I think that’s what we were able to do, keep them out.

“Then when we got the ball towards the back end, I think we just, we started to penetrate the defence and score some points. We’ve got a few sore bodies and weary bodies out there, but we’re very happy with the result.”

Savea agrees with Umaga about their defence, which was key in stopping the Fijian Drua’s comeback.

“The Drua were putting us under pressure a lot of the time, but for us to get out of that and slowly start accumulating points, I think that’s real positive for us.

“Our defence kind of saved us a few times. I don’t think the score reflects how the game was, because we had to make a lot of tackles. The Drua brothers play like that, they’re dangerous.”