Moana Pasifika player ratings vs Hurricanes | Super Rugby Pacific
Moana Pasifika travelled to Wellington to play the Hurricanes on Tuesday night for Super Rugby Pacific, in what was Moana Pasifika’s second game in four days in their gruelling catch-up schedule.
Veteran playmaker Christian Leali’ifano was named as captain of Moana Pasifika in the absence of injured Sekope Kepu in a side that featured a raft of changes due to injuries and squad rotation.
The Hurricanes started strong out of the gates in the first half, scoring three tries. Moana Pasifika managed a try of their own but it was evident that the visiting side lacked urgency and energy. The trend continued in the second half, as Moana Pasifika were forced to defend for long periods of the match and struggled to get their hands on the ball. Despite another try for Moana Pasifika in the second half, the Hurricanes continued to score at will utilising the rolling maul and ran out 53-12 victors.
Discipline continues to be an issue for Moana Pasifika and the mission only gets harder for them with a game against the Chiefs scheduled for Saturday.
Here’s how Moana Pasifika rated:
1. Abraham Pole – 4.5/10
Pole has earned a few starts now since transferring to Moana Pasifika. He went close to scoring in the first half. There was a lot of scrum resets in the game as Moana Pasifika struggled to keep the scrum stable.
2. Samiuela Moli – 4
Had a number of poor lineout throws in the first half which were easy turnovers for the Hurricanes. Was physical in defence, dishing out some big hits.
3. Joe ‘Apikotoa – 5
Had to do a lot of defending in the first half making 11 tackles. Still finding his feet at Super Rugby level. Was replaced shortly after halftime.
4. Mahonri Ngakuru – 4
Earned his first start at lock. He nabbed a lineout win but missed three tackles of his seven tackles attempted. Replaced early in the second half.
5. Samuel Slade – 4.5
Was subbed off for running repairs to a nasty gash early in the match. Returned for the second half, making 10 tackles and acting as his side’s main target at lineout time. He continued to struggle with the strapping around his head leaking blood throughout the game.
6. Alex McRobbie – 5.5
Worked hard around the park all night and played out the full 80 minutes. Won four lineouts for his team and scored an important try to open the scoring in the second half which kept his team in touch.
7. Alamanda Motuga – 6
Played the game with plenty of energy, which is remarkable in itself given his workload over the past few weeks. The opposition would have definitely felt the impact of all his carries in close quarters and provided a bright spark in an otherwise dismal performance from the forwards.
8. Henry Time-Stowers – 7
Returned to pack down at the back of the scrum and quickly picked up where he left off, enforcing his physicality on the game. Topped the team’s tackle count yet again with 16 tackles, only missing one. Also won a crucial turnover against the run of play. He is fast becoming a key man in Moana Pasifika’s line-up.
9. Jonathan Taumateine – 5
Was able to recycle the ball quickly and organise his forwards in tight. Provide good distribution from the base of the ruck but never presented much of an attacking threat.
10. Christian Leali’ifano – 4.5
It was a special match for Christian, taking over captaincy duties for the game. Unfortunately, he wasn’t afforded any space to create chances for his outside backs and struggled to build any momentum for his team.
11. Neria Foma’i – 4
Wasn’t sighted with the ball very often. Even when the ball got to him, needless kicks and poor handling gave possession straight back to the opposition.
12. Danny Toala – 4
Found spaces in the wide channels and tried to use his strength the break open the defence on a number of occasions, but not many opportunities were presented to him. Made some poor kicking decisions with ball in hand.
13. Levi Aumua – 6
Was well contained for most of the game and didn’t get a chance to showcase his ball-carrying ability and thundering runs until late in the piece. Still managed to break four tackles and offload the ball twice.
14. Tima Fainga’anuku – 4
Hard to think of times when he got the ball with any time and space to do anything with it. Still managed to run for 24 metres and beat two defenders.
15. Lolagi Visinia – 5.5
Looked comfortable in his first start at the back. He came into the attacking line to inject some go forward but often came against some staunch Hurricanes defence.
Reserves:
16. Ray Niuia – 5
Came on early in the second half and Moana Pasifika’s lineout seemed to improve.
17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth – N/A
On in the 50th minute.
18. Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi – N/A
On in the 50th minute.
19. Michael Curry – 6.5
Entered the action in the 17th minute as a blood-bin replacement for Slade. Nabbed a lineout and scored Moana Pasifika’s first try of the game. Replaced Ngakuru in the second half.
20. Penitoa Finau – 5.5
When he made it on the field he brought some much-needed energy to proceedings which allowed his fellow forwards to get a roll-on.
21. Manu Paea – N/A
Entered the game briefly as a blood-bin replacement for Taumateine. Came on again to finish out the game.
22. Lincoln McClutchie – 5
On in the 56th minute and tried to spark his backline into action. Looked good with the ball in hand but those moments were few and far between.
23. Henry Taefu – N/A
Replaced Toala in the 49th minute and carried hard through the middle.
Comments on RugbyPass
It’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
2 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
24 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to commentsSouth Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
2 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
24 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
3 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
24 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
14 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
24 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
14 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
24 Go to comments