Moana Pasifika player ratings vs Hurricanes | Super Rugby Pacific
The New Zealand conference newcomers Moana Pasifika took on the might of the Hurricanes at Mt Smart Stadium this evening in search of their maiden tournament victory.
Coach Aaron Mauger ushered in several changes including former Queensland Red and Samoan international Henry Taefu at second five and Manawatu’s own Veikoso Poloniati coming into a locking role for the injured Mike McKee.
The Hurricanes dominated both possession and territory in the first half. This coupled with a number of indiscretions by Moana Pasifika – which saw two yellow cards issued – ensured that Mauger’s men couldn’t build any genuine momentum yet somehow the teams went into the sheds at 7-apiece.
For all their errors and ill-discipline, it was Moana Pasifika’s physicality and determination to stay in the contest that saw the teams locked at 19-19 at the end of regulation time and the match went into golden point.
And the miracle at Mt Smart occurred in the 83rd minute with reserve back Danny Toala scoring against the run of play after his side secured turnover the ball and exited with a kick downfield to which he chased and chased. The rest is now history.
This is how Moana Pasifika rated:
1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth – 5/10
Was valiant at the scrum but appears to lack some basic fundamentals of packing at the loosehead, particularly with his leg positioning. Was far too easily dissected away from his hooker.
2. Samiuela Moli – 5
Like Lindenmuth, he had a torrid time at the scrum. It appeared his contact height on the engage was too high and that contributed to his scrum woes. Furthermore, didn’t nail his lineout at a crucial time. Handy effort around the park though.
3. Sekope Kepu – 5.5
Was the skipper of a heavily penalised team and the man himself was the recipient of a yellow card. Not good enough for a man of his experience. His scrummaging kept the Pasifika scrum credible at times and worked himself hard in defence.
4. Veikoso Poloniati – 6.5
A fair effort on debut. The big positive was his physicality in defence. He was tough and industrious however the downside was his ill discipline. However, a respectable start to his Super Rugby career.
5. Samuel Slade – 7.5
Didn’t offer much in the carry but was exceptionally physical in defence. There were moments in the match where his determination ignited those around him that won key moments. Well played, that man.
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6. Sione Tu’ipulotu – 5.5
Was tidy on the carry and was a handful for the Hurricanes in that aspect of the game. Yet had a questionable match defensively. Was replaced at half time.
7. Solomone Funaki – 8
An exceptional performance in defence and around the ball. He chimed in with back-row partner Time-Stowers to score an old fashioned second-man drive play through the breakdown to keep his side in the match.
8. Henry Time-Stowers – 8
Like his back row partner Funaki, he caused the Hurricanes problems all night in every aspect of the match. What was better is he did it all with a smile on his face. You could see he enjoyed his work tonight and the harder it got, the harder he worked. One to watch.
9 Jonathan Taumateine – 6.5
Not an easy task coming up against the great TJ Perenara but he handled himself admirably. Was particularly impressed with the rhythm and tempo he played with and the amount of ground he had to cover.
10. Christian Leali’ifano – 6.5
Managed his side around the park as a veteran of his calibre should. Was brave in contact and didn’t shirk defending in some narrow channels against some bigger bodies. Inspirational as ever.
11. Neria Foma’i – 5.5
Didn’t really find his way into the game and spent some time in the bin. But can always say he was part of rugby history.
12. Henry Taefu – 7
Very solid debut. His experience shone through at vital times, particularly in defence. An astute piece of recruiting as he was an able deputy to Leali’ifano.
13. Levi Aumua – 7
On the negative, he was ill-disciplined at times and spent some time on the sidelines. Yet in attack, he was an absolute handful for the Hurricanes and scored a well-deserved try. If he can fix the discipline, he will be one to watch.
14. Tima Fainga’anuku – 6
Had a fair crack and had his moments in attack but, as with his teammates, defensively there were some frailties tonight.
15. William Havili – 6
A dangerous player in attack but could have chanced his arm more coming out of his own third. His option to kick when he had numbers outside frustrated but perhaps something he will work into.
Reserves:
16. Ray Niuia – 6
On debut and brought some genuine impact and some stability to the set-piece.
17. Taukiha’amea Koloamatagi – 6
Like Ray Niuia he had some work to do against a strong Hurricanes pack but he hung in there during some tough moments and contributed in getting his side home.
18. Joe ‘Apikotoa – 6
Went about his work with little fuss and helped steady the ship.
19. Alex McRobbie – 6
Bit to like about this bloke. He’s a smart operator who involved himself admirably in all aspects of forward play. Appears like he is up to this standard.
20. Josh Kaifa – 7
Grabbed a turnover and was urgent during his appearance. Did what was required to drive the momentum for his side.
21. Manu Paea – N/A
On late in the show.
22. Lincoln McClutchie – N/A
Surprisingly unused.
23. Danny Toala – 7
The man of the moment who secured Moana Pasifika’s first win. He will be an answer to a trivia question in years to come.
Comments on RugbyPass
The Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to comments