Manu Samoa centre starts as Moana Pasifika name side for Hurricanes

Manu Samoa midfielder Faletoi Peni has been named in the Moana Pasifika starting side for the first time since the round nine loss to the Chiefs, set to line up at inside centre against the ladder-leading Hurricanes on Saturday.

This will be Peni’s first start for Moana at North Harbour Stadium, following appearances in the First XV away to the Hurricanes in Wellington and against the Chiefs in Rotorua. The 26-year-old will link up with outside centre Solomon Alaimalo as the midfield pairing.

Peni played about 30 minutes off the bench against the Blues last weekend, and has otherwise made one more appearance this season against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney.

Veikoso Poloniati, who made an appearance for Tonga against Scotland during the 2025 Autumn Nations Series, comes back into the second row as the only other change to the starting side that fell to the Blues in round 12.

Malakai Hala-Ngatai has been retained at loosehead prop, set to pack down alongside hooker Millennium Sanerivi and tighthead Atu Moli. Allan Craig and Poloniati round out the tight five as the two starting second rowers.

Miracle Faiilagi captains Moana from blindside flanker, forming the in-form loose forwards trio with openside flanker Semisi Paea and No. 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa. Abraham Pole and Jimmy Tupou are among the forwards providing cover off the bench.

Augustine Pulu and William Havili start in the halves together for the second match in a row, with Glen Vaihu lining up at fullback. Tuna Tuitama will run out wearing the No. 11 jersey, while Israel Leota lines up on the right wing.

Moana started the 2026 campaign with a 40-26 win over the Fijian Drua but are now looking to snap a losing streak. This will be their second-last home match of the season, set to host the Queensland Reds on May 23.

This weekend’s match against the Hurricanes will get underway at 7:05 pm NZT on Saturday evening. It’s one of three Super Rugby Pacific matches that day, with the Highlanders hosting the NSW Waratahs, and the ACT Brumbies taking on the Western Force.

Fixture

Super Rugby Pacific

Moana Pasifika

17 - 50

Full-time

Hurricanes

All Stats and Data

Moana Pasifika to take on Hurricanes

1. Malakai Hala-Ngatai

2. Millennium Sanerivi

3. Atu Moli

4. Allan Craig

5. Veikoso Poloniati

6. Miracle Faiilagi (c)

7. Semisi Paea

8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa

9. Augustine Pulu

10. William Havili

11. Tuna Tuitama

12. Faletoi Peni

13. Solomon Alaimalo

14. Israel Leota

15. Glen Vaihu

Replacements 

16. Mamoru Harada

17. Abraham Pole

18. Lolani Faleiva

19. Jimmy Tupou

20. Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing

21. Siaosi Nginingini

22. Jackson Garden-Bachop

23. Tevita Latu