Highlanders leave it late against Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby pre-season

Super Rugby Pacific pre-season for the New Zealand franchises got underway yesterday afternoon at North Harbour Stadium between Moana Pasifika and the Highlanders.

A small but good crowd showed up on a sunny Friday afternoon and was treated to some running rugby from the two teams, trying to iron out the cobwebs ahead of the new campaign in two weeks.

The Highlanders pipped Moana Pasifika at the death, scoring a late try in the last play of the game after a slick backline move from their own half.

The pre-season game started off as every first outing does, with an error-ridden opening 10 minutes, that saw Marcus Playle have to use the whistle early on.

As the game gained momentum, it was the Tana Umaga-led Moana Pasifika who dominated in the first of three-thirds. Moana Pasifika was able to disrupt the Highlanders’ ball early, forcing turnovers at ruck time constantly in the first 15 minutes.

Moana Pasifika crossed for the first try of the game after a quick play down the short side gave Tuna Tuitama an easy finish in the corner.

The Highlanders then hit back off a lineout mall move, after a well-executed lineout from new recruit, hooker Soane Vikena. 

The first 30 minutes ended seven a piece, with the first preseason game remaining tight after the first third.

New Highlanders recruit, former Blues winger Caleb Tangitau, busted a couple of tackles and sprinted away from the opposition winger as he set up teammate Folau Fakatava, who found co-captain Hugh Renton to score in the corner. It was a well-worked move from the Highlanders, and returning head coach Jamie Joseph would have been happy to see this type of execution early on in the 2025 campaign.

Former NRL player Solomon Alaimalo crossed the white line from a nicely worked cross-kick to hit back for Moana Pasifika. It was Alaimalo’s first taste of Moana Pasifika rugby, after a short spell in Australia didn’t work out with the Wests Tigers.

Tongan first-five Patrick Pelligrini enjoyed a positive start to life in Auckland, coming off the bench and scoring a try after Moana Pasifika broke the Highlanders’ defence out wide. 

The second third finished 21-14 to Moana Pasifika.

The Highlanders started the last third with a try off another Timoci Tavatavanawai breakaway, who freed up his arms to find Ajay Faleafaga who was supporting his co-captain.

As the 90-minute game came to a conclusion, Jamie Joseph’s side moved the ball from side to side before a new recruit from the Southland Stags, Michael Manson, put through a grubber kick for himself for the final try, before he sped away from the chasing Moana Pasifika defenders.

The Highlanders’ two last-gasp tries gave them the 26-21 victory over the home side.

Moana Pasifika take on the Chiefs next Saturday in Pukekohe, before opening their campaign for 2025 against the Western Force in Perth.

Fixture

Super Rugby Pacific

Force

45 - 44

Full-time

Moana Pasifika

All Stats and Data

The Highlanders will play the Crusaders in Invercargill on Thursday, before their first game of the season against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney.

Fixture

Super Rugby Pacific

Waratahs

37 - 36

Full-time

Highlanders

All Stats and Data

Highlanders squad:

Starting XV

1. Josh Bartlett
2. Soane Mikaele Vikena
3. Sosefo Kautai
4. Lui Naeata
5. Mitchell Dunshea
6. Hugh Renton (CC)
7. Hayden Michaels
8. Nikora Broughton
9. Nathan Hastie
10. Cameron Millar
11. Caleb Tangitau
12. Jake Te Hiwi
13. Tanielu Tele’a
14. Michael Manson
15. Sam Gilbert

IMPACT

Henry Bell, Jack Taylor, Rohan Wingham, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jack Sexton, Josh Tengblad, Fabian Holland, Michael Loft, Sean Withy, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Adam Lennox, Ajay Faleafaga, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (CC), Josh Whaanga, Finn Hurley.

Moana Pasifika squad:

First 30-minute block

1. Tito Tuipulotu

2. Sama Malolo

3. Feleti Sae-ta’ufo’ou

4. Ofa Tauatevalu

5. Samuel Slade

6. Miracle Faiilagi

7. Sione Havili Talitui

8. Semisi Tupou Tailoa

9. Jonathan Taumateine

10. Jackson Garden-Bachop

11. Tuna Tuitama

12. Lalomilo Lalomilo

13. Tevita Ofa

14. Kyren Taumoefolau

15. William Havili

16. Monu Moli

Second 30-minute block

1. Fatongia Paea

2. Millenium Senerivi

3. Chris Apoua

4. Tom Savage

5. Allan Craig

6. Ola Tauelangi

7. Sione Havili Talitui

8. Semisi Tupou Tailoa

9. Aisea Halo

10. William Havili

11. Tuna Tuitama

12. Julian Savea

13. Tevita Ofa

14. Theo Steffany

15. Kyren Taumoefolau

Third 30-minute block 

1. James Lay

2. Tomasi Maka

3. Sione Mafileo

4. Michael Curry

5. Connor Seve

6. Irie Papuni

7. Niko Jones

8. Lotu Inisi

9. Melani Matavao / Siaosi Nginingini

10. Patrick Pellegrini

11. Losi Filipo

12. Afa Moleli

13. Fine Inisi

14. Theo Steffany

15. Solomon Alaimalo