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Moana Pasifika retain just two players in starting team for Force clash
Fresh after their loss to the Reds in Brisbane on Friday, Moana Pasifika have made a whopping 13 changes to their starting team ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Western Force on Tuesday.
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The rescheduled mid-week fixture is a result of the postponed match between the two sides during Super Round in Melbourne last month after the Force were ravaged by a Covid outbreak within their squad.
As such, both teams will be required to close their Super Rugby Pacific campaigns out with three regular season matches almost within a week of each other.
The Force remain an outside chance at making the competition’s playoffs, provided they win their final two games (preferably by bonus point margins) and the Highlanders lose to the Rebels in Melbourne this Sunday.
However, playing with nothing to lose, Moana Pasifika would bring an end to the Force’s season with an upset win at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.
With only a four-day turnaround from their 34-22 defeat at Suncorp Stadium, Moana Pasifika have been forced to dig deep into their playing squad to achieve such a feat.
Only two players, ‘Ikale Tahi blindside flanker Sione Tu’ipulotu and Manu Samoa wing Tomasi Alosio, have been retained from the team that fell short against the Reds.
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The rest of the starting lineup is completely changed, with the side welcoming back star centre Levi Aumua following his disciplinary stand down ahead of Moana Pasifika’s loss to the Fijian Drua in Sydney.
Aumua will be partnered in the midfield by Manu Samoa second-five Henry Taefu in a backline that also features Alosio, halfback Ere Enari, first-five Lincoln McClutchie, Manu Samoa wing Neria Foma’i and fullback Lolagi Visinia.
The team will be captained by Manu Samoa loose forward Jack Lam, who packs down at No 8 in a loose forward trio comprised of Tu’ipulotu and Manu Samoa openside flanker Alamanda Motuga.
Loosehead prop Ezekiel Lindenmuth, hooker Luteru Tolai and tighthead prop Chris Apoua combine to create a brand new front row, while locks Veikoso Poloniati and Mahonri Ngakuru join forces in the second row.
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A further five new faces have been included on the bench, with ‘Ikale Tahi hooker Samiuela Moli, tighthead prop Joe ‘Apikotoa and lock Alex McRobbie the only two players who have kept their places on the pine from the Reds loss.
Joining them in the reserves are Hong Kong international Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi, loose forward Penitoa Finau, halfback Manu Paea, midfielder Fine Inisi and wing Anzelo Tuitavuki.
Kick-off for Tuesday’s match is scheduled for 7:05pm NZT.
Moana Pasifika team to face Western Force
1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth
2. Luteru Tolai
3. Chris Apoua
4. Veikoso Poloniati
5. Mahonri Ngakuru
6. Sione Tu’ipulotu
7. Alamanda Motuga
8. Jack Lam (c)
9. Ereatara Enari
10. Lincoln McClutchie
11. Neria Foma’i
12. Henry Taefu
13. Levi Aumua
14. Tomasi Alosio
15. Lolagi Visinia
Reserves
16. Samiuela Moli
17. Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi
18. Joe ‘Apikotoa
19. Alex McRobbie
20. Penitoa Finau
21. Manu Paea
22. Fine Inisi
23. Anzelo Tuitavuki
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“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?
13 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.
10 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.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 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.
25 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
6 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.
10 Go to comments