Moana Pasifika player ratings vs Blues | Super Rugby Pacific
Moana Pasifika played the Blues at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland for the competition’s first cross-town clash on Tuesday night. It was a catch-up game for the two sides and it was only Moana Pasifika’s fourth game for the season.
It was a bruising encounter, particularly in the forwards where there was some heavy contact. Early in the game, the Pasifika team were blown off the park at scrum time but were able to adjust and hung in with the Blues by muscling up in defence.
Moana Pasifika came out in the second half with plenty of energy and the game saw a huge momentum swing in their favour. Eventually, the Blues showed their class and outlasted their opposition to win the game 32-19, despite a courageous fightback from Moana Pasifika.
Here’s how Moana Pasifika rated:
1. Abraham Pole – 5.5
Drafted into the Moana Pasifika side after starting Super Rugby in the Crusaders organisation. He and his fellow prop were outmuscled at scrum time early in the game, with the Blues winning one against the feed to set up their opening try. Scored a try shortly after half time.
2. Luteru Tolai – 6.5
Was used as a human wrecking-ball in attack and it paid dividends, with Tolai crashing over for a try off a rampaging Moana Pasifika maul.
3. Joe ‘Apikotoa – 5
Was dominated by Hodgeman in the scrum and the forward pack had to adjust pretty quickly. Had some strong runs in broken play.
4. Michael Curry – 6.5
Was a regular target in the lineout and worked hard in defence. Showed some athleticism by being able to offload in the tackle.
5. Xavier Cowley-Tuioti – 4.5
Struggled with an injury throughout the game.
6. Penitoa Finau – 6.5
Was a workhorse around the park and had a number of carries that broke the advantage line for Moana Pasifika.
7. Alamanda Motuga – 7
The Samoan international carried hard and led from the front in the forwards. Won some crucial turnovers and was abrasive in attack, adding to a dynamic backrow for Moana Pasifika.
8. Jack Lam – 7.5
Captaining the side for the first time, he brought much-needed experience to the MP forward pack. Copped a head-knock in the opening two minutes and left the field for an HIA but fortunately returned in the 18th minute. From there he worked hard all night and made 13 tackles.
9. Ereatara Enari – 6.5
The Moana Pasifika scrumhalf was able to spark the backline with plenty of energy, delivering crisp ball to McClutchie and his forwards running off the ruck. Put his team in position to score their opening try by peppering the Blues with box-kicks in their territory.
10. Lincoln McClutchie – 7.5
The exciting young flyhalf took on most of the open-field kicking duties, trying to get his team into an attacking position. Controlled the game nicely and showed a silky pair of hands to put his players through holes to break open the Blues defence. Pulled off a fantastic cross-field kick to put in his winger Alosio for an important try late in the game. Forming a nice combination with Enari.
11. Anzelo Tuitavuki – 6
The Hawkes Bay winger took the most of his opportunities on debut and ran for 57 metres. Perhaps was guilty at times of going himself instead of looking for support.
12. Solomone Kata – 7
Made his debut for the side after sustaining a preseason injury, and was back to his destructive best on his return to Mt Smart Stadium. Was unlucky not to score in the second half off a great breakout move. Was just as ferocious in defence and crunched Stephen Perofeta in the midfield.
13. Fine Inisi – 6.5
Showed some explosiveness to get on the outside of his opposition number to make some great runs. Was also impressive in defence, making 16 tackles during the game.
14. Tomasi Alosio – 6
Scored a spectacular try, jumping high to gather in a well-placed cross-field kick from McClutchie. Besides that he was very well contained, and the ball rarely found itself to his wing.
15. D’Angelo Leuila – 6.5
Has big wraps on him, and looked dangerous at times when choose to come up and play flat in the backline. Was lucky not to be given a yellow card for taking out Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens in the air during the first half.
Reserves:
16. Joe Royal – N/A
Got limited minutes but shored up the scrum.
17. Suetene Asomua – N/A
Came on as a replacement late in the game.
18. Chris Apoua – 6
Brought some impact off the bench and used his big frame to bust through the Blues forwards.
19. Alex McRobbie – 6
Came on at around the 50th minute mark and put effort into defence, making 7 tackles.
20. Josh Kaifa – N/A
Came off the bench early for Lam, and was impressive. Returned to the bench 20 minutes later and didn’t get back on until late in the game.
21. Dwayne Polataivao – N/A
The Samoa scrumhalf made it on the field in the 77th minute.
22. Nigel Ah Wong – N/A
Came on with five minutes to go. His first touch was a knock-on.
23. Lolagi Visinia – 6.5
Entered the action in the 56th minute and put his hand up for plenty of hard carries close to the action. Looked powerful with ball in hand.
Comments on RugbyPass
Just such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
4 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
4 Go to comments