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Blues vs Moana Pasifika takes: Rivalry brewing, Cotter's side must adapt
By Henry Lee at Eden Park, Auckland
Vern Cotter’s Blues have won the battle of the 09 for 2026, taking out the Sunday afternoon contest, 43-7, at Eden Park in Auckland.
The scoreline may look like the Blues dominated from start to finish, but that was far from the case as Moana Pasifika looked and played like they were fired up for the local derby.
The home side extended their winning streak against Moana Pasifika at Eden Park to five, after winning their first four encounters between the two sides at their home ground by an average of 22 points.
It was a match played with intense physicality and passion, closing out round five of Super Rugby Pacific.
Here are some takeaways from the round five clash at Eden Park.
Blues must adapt before 2025 problems become 2026 ones
In 2025 under Blues head coach Vern Cotter, their one-dimensional plan of attack drove them into the ground, often being too predictable.
This was probably best highlighted with All Blacks winger and 2026 try-scoring machine Caleb Clarke not scoring a single try in the 2025 campaign, whereas the Blues winger already had five tries prior to the round five clash against Moana Pasifika.
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Cotter’s backline dismantled the Crusaders in round four, showcasing what their backline can do with Beauden Barrett in full flight, while Clarke and All Blacks Sevens flyer Cody Vai chipped in with four tries combined.
Rather than a one-dimensional game plan, Cotter’s side can now spread the ball wide to their electrifying backs or use their grunt up front to dominate sides.
But during the first half against Moana Pasifika, the Blues went away from their running rugby style and reverted to their short pick-and-go game plan.
The Blues were up against a side that had just shipped over 50 points to both the Hurricanes and the Chiefs, showing them the blueprint on how to beat Umaga’s side, out wide with free-flowing attack.
We saw glimpses of what the Blues are capable of with ball in hand, especially in the final moments where the home side threw offloads, swung the ball wide, and broke the defensive line on a number of occasions before a try followed.
Adding a second string to their bow and doing it more consistently can only benefit them and their chances of a title in 2026.
Game of two halves
It’s probably an overused sports cliche, but it really does tell the whole story from Eden Park.
All things considered, Moana Pasifika were the better side during the first half, where Umaga’s side fronted up physically, but couldn’t reap the rewards of their dominance.
But whatever wasn’t working during the first half, Cotter sure did tighten the screws at halftime.
His side came out with real intent in the second half, especially with their one-off ball carriers, where they started to break the away side’s resolute defence.
Their quality in close quarters gained them a handy lead shortly after the break, through tries to Marcel Renata and Sam Darry close to the posts.
Moana Pasifika didn’t score a single point in the second-half, where the second forty minutes read 28-0, highlighting exactly the sort of game it was.
Battle of the 09 builds momentum
Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga didn’t mince his words during the week, explaining how he believes the powers at the Blues have no intention of having the North Harbour-based Super Rugby franchise around.
“I don’t know if they realise there’s two professional rugby teams in this city, but we do know they don’t want us here,” Umaga told reporters ahead of Sunday’s clash.
And after last season’s titanic clash where All Black veteran Ardie Savea single handedly claimed a historic victory for Moana Pasifika, Sunday afternoon’s round five encounter was set to be a blockbuster.
The first half had everything; red cards, close-contact carriers, and some tries that went unrewarded.
The away side will feel hard done by in the first 40 minutes, where they didn’t get the reward for their 22m entries against a Blues side who, for most of the half, had one player extra.
It was a completely different contest in the second half, but there’s no doubt there’s feeling in this clash, which will set up some mouth-watering matches in years to come.
Experienced All Black behind the eight ball
There’s no denying Ofa Tu’ungafasi’s impact over the course of his career for both the Blues and the All Blacks, but the 68-Test prop hasn’t looked the same, understandably, since his major neck injury last season.
Tu’ungafasi still has a lot to offer for the young Blues and All Blacks props, but his ill-discipline at scrum time has been on show during the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Blues prop was penalised a number of times in their encounter against the Brumbies for pulling his opposing position down at scrum time.
Referee James Doleman was quick to penalise Tu’ungafasi for the same infringement against Atu Moli, in a scrum matchup, the All Black prop would be favoured to win.
His 28th-minute try showcased his experience around the paddock, where he ran a superb line, but it’s at set-piece time that he looks a shadow of his old self.
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