Moana Pasifika player ratings vs Highlanders | Super Rugby Pacific
Moana Pasifika visited the Highlanders under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin for Friday night rugby to kick off round eight of Super Rugby Pacific.
The Highlanders started fast, scoring in the first ten minutes, but Moana Pasifika were able to strike back quickly with a try to Aumua. Two tries from rolling mauls gave the Highlanders the lead going into halftime.
Moana Pasifika put in a huge shift in defence to begin the second half, repelling waves of Highlanders attack in their 22, but eventually caved to the pressure in the 52nd minute. They immediately hit back through Tima Fainga’anuku. Fatigue set in late into the match and Moana Pasifika’s discipline went out the window giving away back-to-back-to-back penalties allowing the Landers to run away with the game late in the second half, triumphing 37-17 in their first win of the season.
Here’s how Moana Pasifika rated:
1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth – 6.5/10
Had plenty of important carries early as Moana Pasifika built phases and momentum to get over the advantage line. Got through plenty of work in defence until he was replaced late in the game.
2. Luteru Tolai – 6
The human wrecking-ball made hard-earned metres through the middle and was relied on when phase play broke down. Was solid at lineout time and fronted up in the scrum against a strong Highlanders pack.
3. Sekope Kepu – 7
The side’s skipper led the forwards at set-piece time. Sustained a shoulder injury in the 26th minute but battled through for most of the game. Won some crucial scrum penalties against the head.
4. Veikoso Poloniati – 5
On a number of occasions, Poloniati was able to contest the Highlanders lineout throw and disrupted their momentum in the maul. Contributed 8 tackles to the team’s defensive effort. He was given a yellow card after successive team penalties.
5. Samuel Slade – 6
Was mobile and damaging with the ball in his hands. The Samoan international was a frequent target in the lineout.
6. Solomone Funaki – 6
Strong on both sides of the ball. His offloading from the ground set up some attacking chances for his fellow forwards.
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7. Alamanda Motuga – 6
Put in a big defensive effort with nine tackles and carried hard all night. Was given a yellow card in the 66th minute in a critical part of the game when Moana Pasifika were on their heels.
8. Penitoa Finau – 6
With 14 tackles he topped the team’s tackle count. Was a part of a massive shift in defence early in the second half when Moana Pasifika was pinned on their line.
9. Ereatara Enari – 6.5
Challenged the defence by darting off the ruck. Put his ball carriers in motion and was influential in creating quick ball for Moana Pasifika.
10. Christian Leali’ifano – 6.5
Playing in his 155th Super Rugby game, The experienced playmaker was tasked with unlocking Moana Pasifika’s exciting backline. He created chances for those around him and had a hand in putting Fainga’anuku away for his try. He shifted to accommodate McClutchie but chances were hard to come by as the backline tired towards the back end of the match.
11. Timoci Tavatavanawai – 6
Made a 40-metre break off the kickoff that put Moana Pasifika in a position to score in the first half. He was electric all night and the Landers found him difficult to contain, making 70 metres.
12. Danny Toala – 6
Acted as a creator in the backline and looked dangerous in open space. Was hard to put down with the ball in hand but perhaps wasn’t the game-breaker that the team needed.
13. Levi Aumua – 7
Looked to break open the game and he was strong in the carry. Scored Moana Pasifika’s first try off the back of some great build-up early in the game. Was an organiser in defence and made a fantastic spot tackle to shut down the Highlanders attack in the second half.
14. Tima Fainga’anuku – 6
Was guilty of coming off his wing to leave space for Mosese Dawai to score the Landers’ first try. Scored an important try to keep Moana Pasifika within touch of the Highlanders. Carried hard all night and made 75 metres.
15. William Havili – 6.5
Was safe under the highball all night and was able to turn the opposition around with his clearance kicks. He also took it upon himself to handle penalty kicks for touch. Only came up to play in the backline late in the game.
Reserves:
16. Samiuela Moli – N/A
On in the 63rd minute but wasn’t very effective.
17. Abraham Pole – N/A
Also on in the 63rd minute.
18. Chris Apoua – 4
On in the 60th minute. Immediately gave away a silly penalty which allowed the Highlanders to extend their lead.
19. Mahonri Ngakuru – N/A
On in the 63rd minute.
20. Sione Tu’ipulotu – N/A
On in the second half at some point but was hardly sighted.
21. Jonathan Taumateine – 5
The Samoan scrumhalf came on late in the second half but couldn’t get his team over the advantage line.
22. Lincoln McClutchie – 6
Came on in the 60th minute and added some spark to the Moana Pasifika. Needed to get his hands on the ball more.
23. Fine Inisi – 5.5
On in the 63rd minute. Made some good front-up tackles but got limited opportunities to fully stretch his legs.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments