Moana Pasifika player ratings vs Chiefs | Super Rugby Pacific
Moana Pasifika hosted the Chiefs at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland for their first home game on Saturday night for round five of Super Rugby Pacific, in what was the only New Zealand-based match this weekend.
Moana Pasifika played only their second game of Super Rugby Pacific ever after three of their matches were postponed due to Covid. The Pasifika team challenged the Chiefs early on in the game, countering the Chiefs opening try with one of their own. However, Moana Pasifika was starved of territory and possession for most of the game, and the Chiefs ran in two more tries before halftime.
The Chiefs continued their try-scoring efforts two minutes into the second half and from there it was pretty much one-way traffic as they took advantage of Moana Pasifika’s mistakes at set-piece, winning the game 59-12. The Chiefs ran in nine tries to Moana Pasifika’s two, who scored a late consolation try.
Here’s how Moana Pasifika rated:
1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth – 4/10
Was outmuscled by his opposition number in the first half and the scrum struggled against the Chiefs pack. To give him credit, he worked hard and lasted until the 68th minute.
2. Luteru Tolai – 5.5
Used his hulking frame to bust open the Chiefs defence off the ruck on a number of occasions. Unfortunately, he had a couple over-throws at lineout time when Moana Pasifika were in an attacking position.
3. Sekope Kepu – 6.5
The skipper led his team valiantly and played an important part in setting up a platform for Moana Pasifika’s attack early on. He has become an important part of their pack, not just for his off-field experience but also for his scrum ability and leadership on the park.
4. Mike McKee – 4.5
Communication was off at the line-out which resulted in McKee mistiming some jumps. Suffered a shoulder injury in the first half and was replaced at half-time.
5. Samuel Slade – 6
Worked hard around the park, and put in a huge shift in defence, making 13 tackles. Went off for running repairs around the 20-minute mark following a head-clash with Leali’ifano but returned shortly after. Won some crucial line-outs in the second half.
6. Sione Tu’ipulotu – 4.5
Making his starting debut, the 24-year old Tu’ipulotu made eight tackles and was targeted once in the line-out.
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7. Solomone Funaki – 5
The rookie backrower was tireless all game but struggled to impose himself on the match. He made 17 tackles, finishing second on the team’s tackle count.
8. Henry Time-Stowers – 6.5
Showed off his physicality by carrying hard at the line and winning the collisions in defence for the full 80 minutes. Put in a team-high 22 tackles and 41 carry metres. Was shown a big fend from Tupou Vaa’i as the Chiefs flanker went over for a try under the posts.
9. Jonathan Taumateine – 5
The Samoan international showed some nice control at the base of the ruck but his combination with Leali’ifano never truly clicked. Subbed off at the 61st-minute mark.
10. Christian Leali’ifano – 5.5
Delivered a perfect pass to put his winger Fomai in for Moana Pasifika’s first try. Went off for HIA in the 20th minute but returned shortly after. From there he created some attacking chances for his outside backs by keeping the ball alive but wasn’t as influential as he would have hoped for. Was yellow-carded in the 57th minute.
11. Neria Foma’i – 6
Burst onto a pass from Leali’ifano and put on a devastating left-foot step to score Moana Pasifika’s opening try. Was destructive in his carries and would have benefited from more ball in his hands. Was exposed on the outside as a result of his centres bunching up in defence.
12. Danny Toala – 4.5
Carried hard through the middle five times, shrugging off defenders in close contact and making 38 metres. Often made poor reads in defence, missing three tackles, which opened up holes for the opposition.
13. Levi Aumua – 5.5
Was immense in defence in the first half, and killed the Chiefs attacking momentum with a huge hit in midfield on Bryn Gatland. When the game opened up for the Chiefs in the second half, he was guilty of jamming in on defence, and the Chiefs exposed the space outside. Replaced by Fine Inisi in the 63rd minute.
14. Tima Fainga’anuku – 4
Was starved of opportunities with ball in hand, and when he did he was forced to run into heavy contact. His only major involvement was delivering a nice offload to set up a Moana Pasifika attacking break.
15. William Havili – 5
Looked for ways to inject himself into the backline and find space but all ways were shut to the Moana Pasifika fullback. Took on the kicking duties to get them out of their own end. Reeled off a massive 50/22 that set up a Moanna Pasifika attacking opportunity.
Reserves:
16. Samiuela Moli – 5.5
Came on in the 55th minute and brought some consistency to the line-out and scrum.
17. Taukiha’amea Koloamatagi – N/A
Came on late in the game.
18. Joe Apikotoa – 5.5
The Hawke’s Bay prop came on and worked hard to lift his team. Scored a late try for Moana Pasifika.
19. Alex McRobbie – N/A
Came on to refresh the locks and supported his forward at set-piece.
20. Josh Kaifa – N/A
Came on late in the game.
21. Ereatara Enari – 6
Brought energy and tempo to Moana Pasifika when they were struggling late in the second half. When he came on Moana Pasifika were able to gain possession for some extended phases.
22. Lincoln McClutchie – 5.5
Replaced Lea 20 minutes into the game after a HIA. Re-entered the fray in the 69th minute and created a few chances but couldn’t connect effectively with his backline in the time he was on the field.
23. Fine Inisi – 4.5
Brought with him lots of energy off the bench but wasn’t able to make much impact late in the game.
Comments on RugbyPass
9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to comments