1
'It just hits different': Moana Pasifika star Danny Toala opens up on match-winning heroics
Moana Pasifika have finally won their first Super Rugby Pacific match, and the new expansion franchise can young star Danny Toala for their historic victory.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was, after all, Toala who scored the decisive long range try in golden point extra-time to sink the Hurricanes 24-19 at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on Friday.
After having held the Hurricanes out from inside their own half for much of over-time, Moana Pasifika pinched the ball and spread it wide to Toala, who hoofed it downfield in the face of some strong wind.
That, as well as his superb chasing efforts, may have played into Toala’s as he was the first to the ball near halfway and hacked it the remaining 40 metres, outpacing Hurricanes starlet Ruben Love to dot down and clinch a landmark result for his side.
It was a whirlwind passage of play for the 22-year-old midfielder, who was at loss of words when describing his try and what the win means for him, his team and the Moana Pasifika fanbase.
“Yeah it’s pretty hard to explain. Especially in a rugby game, something that I’ve probably never felt before. Surreal. I don’t know. Playing for my family, it just hits different. It’s surreal, I’m speechless,” Toala said after the match.
“I’d seen a lot of space. My first initial thoughts was just have a go but sort of stuck to our game plan, and big ups to our drivers for driving that into us this week, making sure we play in the right zones.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I did think of running it but then something told me just to kick it. Kicked it and then first it didn’t bounce up nicely so I hacked it with my shin and then even the bounce before I picked it up to score wasn’t as nice as well.
“It just happened real quick. I actually thought it would have gone up to the TMO because it looks pretty dodgy. I was comfortable that I got it down so as soon as I got the ball down I just celebrated.”
There was a sense of irony about Toala’s match-winning exploits given it came against the Hurricanes, his former team that he only made four appearances for over the course of three seasons before joining Moana Pasifika this year.
Already, Toala has featured in all three of his new team’s fixtures, but he has no hard feelings towards the Hurricanes, who he said were still his second favourite team.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I was expecting that question. I’ve had it a few times already,” Toala laughed when asked how it felt scoring against his old teammates.
“I don’t know. Moana’s my new home, my team, but still mad love for my brothers from the Hurricanes team. When I first got it down, heaps of joy just getting one over my ex-team, but yeah, nothing against them. Still support them – second best team.”
Despite the magnitude of their maiden upset victory, Moana Pasifika won’t have much time to celebrate given they will face the Blues in Auckland’s first-ever cross-town Super Rugby Pacific derby at Mt Smart Stadium on Tuesday.
It may be a big ask for the competition newcomers to replicate their recent feats against their highly-favoured opponents after such a short turnarounds, but Toala remains optimistic and hopeful of his side’s future following their breakthrough win.
“The boys are pretty confident, we’ve got a pretty good squad,” Toala said of what’s next for Moana Pasifika.
“We’ve got a couple of storm weeks coming up so it’s just important that we do the right things – getting around each other, supporting each other and helping each other out.
“We’re obviously going to need our whole squad as well, so expect some pretty dangerous players on Tuesday as well. That’s what I can say.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
46 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments