1
Moana Pasifika hope to ‘make our people proud’ on historic gameday in Tonga
Captain Sione Havili Talitui has stated that the Moana Pasifika playing group are motivated to “make our people proud” this weekend when they play in the first-ever Super Rugby Pacific match in Tonga.
ADVERTISEMENT
12 players of Tongan heritage will take the field for Moana Pasifika at Teufaiva Stadium on Saturday afternoon when they come up against a Highlanders side desperate for a win.
The Highlanders sit in eighth with 15 competition points to their name, but Moana Pasifika are right there behind them in ninth. Whoever wins this fixture will finish round 11 inside the top eight.
But as skipper Havili Talitui explained, there’s more on the line for the Moana Pasifika playing group and the coaching staff as well.
“We want to put out our best performance for Tonga and we just want to make our people proud,” captain and ‘Ikale Tahi international Sione Havili Talitui said in a statement.
Coach and legendary All Black Fa’alogo Tana Umaga has made three changes to the backline with Jonathan Taumateine earning a start at halfback and former Wallaby Christian Lealiifano getting the nod at first five.
Meanwhile, talented playmaker William Havili has been named at fullback.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the forwards, Lotu Inisi comes into the run-on side at number eight and Jacob Norris slots into the side at blindside flanker.
Head-to-Head
Last 4 Meetings
Wins
0
Draws
0
Wins
4
Average Points scored
18
36
First try wins
50%
Home team wins
50%
Moana Pasifika are coming off a tough loss to rivals the Fijian Drua, but after taking the learnings out of that match, they appear intent on bouncing back on a historic afternoon in Nuku’alofa.
This fixture will get underway at 2:05 pm NZT on Saturday afternoon.
Moana Pasifika team to take on Highlanders
- Abraham Pole
- Samiuela Moli
- Sione Mafileo
- Tom Savage
- Allan Craig
- Jacob Norris
- Sione Havili Talitui (c)
- Lotu Inisi
- Jonathan Taumateine
- Christian Lealiifano
- Fine Inisi
- Julian Savea
- Henry Taefu
- Viliami Fine
- William Havili
Replacements
- Sama Malolo
- Sateki Latu
- Sekope Kepu
- Ola Tauelangi
- Solomone Funaki
- Ereatara Enari
- Danny Toala
- Neria Fomai
Unavailable due to injury: Anzelo Tuitavuki, James Lay, Kyren Taumoefolau, Ofa Tauatevalu, Samuel Slade
Comments on RugbyPass
Ahh too many OK 7’s out there at the moment, would have loved to have Harmon (and Boshier from Panasonic) included on that list (although I don’t know what I’m looking at with those stats!). I would love to see another 7 come through like Cane (who VdF has molded off), who was a real attacking machine before his neck injury and inability to turn his head/upper body to pass or catch properly forced his style to change. No sure McReight is it, he looks more like a canny McCaw than the blasters Hooper and Cane were. The real issue is what use can Schmidt mold out of his ability and skills in just two short seasons. I think Cale could do a lot of the more skillful stuff. McReight is probably best to knuckle down and do the core duties a modern day Cane performs for the other two loosies (if he’s the best Schmidt has to play with at 7).
42 Go to commentsI’ve little doubt that England is comfortably the No 1 team and not only beat other teams but beat them easily. Not so sure about France. They should be No 2 after winning 3 of last 4 matches against NZ and only a straightforward missed kick prevented it from being 4 out of 4. However, then they inexplicably lost to Canada and Wallaroos in WXV. I thought the NZ match was their “cup final” and they took the others lightly, but they were not particularly impressive in 6N except in flashes. I think they have stood still whilst Canada and England have moved forward but I don't think Canada has the depth and their team is ageing. I agree NZ not moving forward. What will be interesting is how the Wallaroos fare against NZ and then again in their September match against Ireland and then in WXV2 against other 6N teams. I was surprised they lost to USA.
3 Go to commentsI don't know why peoplenare upset here. If foreign fans think they are poor for their clubs and back it up with stats then it's probably true. Snyman would have been a legend in the NH if he was fit though. He just transforms Munster into a winning machine. Pollard is 100% the most disappointing one and his win rate outside world cups gives a good indicator. For all his clubs his average win rate is around 52%, inbetween world cups for the Boks it's 55%. Compared to other elite flyhalves who have 70%+ win rates for their clubs. If anything Manie is a far better investment if you looking for a flyhalf given that when he is on the pitch teams on average win 76% of games.
44 Go to commentsWhich captains were not human?
2 Go to commentsIt left him open to savage sledging most memorably POMs ‘Sh1t McCaw’ comment which prompted a national NZ meltdown. Cane was later substituted in that game. He had some redemption in the RWC quartfinal against Ireland but unfortunately he will be remembered for torpedo-ing his team with that red card in the final with NZ already 12-3 down.
2 Go to commentsThere should be a smaller number of teams cut off to play finals after the regular season, of course. However, with all due respect, the Crusaders aren’t playing well enough to even make that cut. They may have a late rally, if they can get some key players back from injury, but this is still a speculation as it stands. They will still have to rely on other results going their way too - their season is now entirely out of their control.
10 Go to comments1 week for two cynical and dirty plays? Absolutely pathetic punishment. He should’ve at least received 2 weeks - 1 week per trip. The guy is a cheating moron and liability. He should go back to league.
2 Go to commentsTest rugby is different level Some players are just big time players when the stakes are high they play better. The boks often lost to AUS on tour as they wanted to beat AB. Even at school level this is the case where some guys play better in tough games.
44 Go to commentsLet’s hope he misses more than just the Force game or the Reds won’t get very far in the finals.
2 Go to commentsThanks Nick. I’m looking at the other 7 options in Australia and they don’t seem to be close behind Fraser at the moment? Even before reading this I thought he was well ahead. A random one - Slipper and Allalatoa seem to be getting well beaten in the scrum. I can’t remember this happening often before. Is it a technique/teamwork issue or are their bodies finally past it?
42 Go to commentsNZ is now entrenched in Div 2 of womens rugby. Canada would be thrashed by the likes of France or England. Europe are Div 1, with massive competitions, massive money…
3 Go to commentsBlackadder dies not deserve selection. He has not played enough games. Finau is just better. Kaino's replacement at Blindside On form TJ should be the starting 9 .
129 Go to commentsThe difference is Cotter..
6 Go to commentsThey can’t handle the level of comp in the NH. Pollard was a complete waste at Montpellier - and was the backup 12 when he left. Kitschoff was stealing his paycheque every week at Ulster,- getting absolutely rinsed by backup THs in the URC. There is a reason all the Boks go to Japan - they don’t have it in them to be able to compete. And yes, they won the RWC. Where Barnes and O'Keeffe were the direct reason for that tragedy occurring.
44 Go to commentsTrouble with Jones is he has so many impractical innovations. Kemeney wasn't good enough in any position for top level test rugby. I like how Vern has Papalii playing. He's always had the workrate when in form, although I'm not sure that he quite has Cane's mongrel.
42 Go to commentsPut those results on the old CV and send it in to the crusaders bro.
1 Go to commentsJust go with a top 6 system where the top 2 teams go straight to the semi-finals and the other 4 teams fight it out for the other 2 semi-final spots.
10 Go to commentsIt’s a shame that Baxter wasn’t nominated for DoR of the season. what he did is more impressive than McCall imo
1 Go to commentsSeveral boks said during World Cup they play so hard to give people back home hope. As an Englishman the Springboks Captain’s life story is an inspiration which should give us all hope and inspiration. Rather like that other great South African, Nelson Mandela
44 Go to commentsFox News, Tucker Carlson, Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan? Yikes.
1 Go to comments