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Moana Pasifika ring in the changes for round two against the Blues

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Moana Pasifika have named their team to play the rematch against the Blues on Saturday. Round 7 of DHL Super Rugby Pacific sees the two Auckland-based teams play each other twice in the space of four days.

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With the short turnaround, Head Coach Aaron Mauger has named a very different side to the team who went down on Tuesday 32-19.

Sekope Kepu returns to Captain the side and is joined in the front row by Ezekiel Lindenmuth and Samiuela Moli at hooker. Veikoso Poloniati and Michael Curry will combine at lock to round out the tight five. Curry started Tuesday’s match and earnt his start on Saturday after a tremendous performance on debut.

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The same starting loose forward trio from Moana Pasifika’s historic 24-19 win over the Hurricanes will return to the field with Tu’ipulotu, Funaki and Time-Stowers set to play at Eden Park.

Ereatara Enari will combine with Christian Leali’ifano in a new 9 & 10 combination which boasts plenty of Super Rugby experience.

An unchanged starting midfield combination in Solomone Kata and Fine Inisi will look to build on their fine form from Tuesday’s game.

Playing three games in eight days has seen several debutants take the field and Tasman Mako flyer Timoci Tavatavanawai will make his long awaited debut on the right wing. Anzelo Tuitavuki keeps his left wing spot from Tuesday and William Havili returns to fullback.

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There is plenty of impact and firepower to come from the bench with the likes of experienced Manu Samoa halfback Dwayne Polataivao and Tuesday night try scorers Luteru Tolai, Abraham Pole and Tomasi Alosio.

Moana Pasifika team to play the Blues:

  1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth
  2. Samiuela Moli
  3. Sekope Kepu (C)
  4. Veikoso Poloniati
  5. Michael Curry
  6. Sione Tu’ipulotu
  7. Solomone Funaki
  8. Henry Time-Stowers
  9. Ereatara Enari
  10. Christian Leali’ifano
  11. Anzelo Tuitavuki
  12. Solomone Kata
  13. Fine Inisi
  14. Timoci Tavatavanawai (debut)
  15. William Havili

    Reserves

  16. Luteru Tolai
  17. Abraham Pole
  18. Chris Apoua
  19. Alex McRobbie
  20. Alamanda Motuga
  21. Dwayne Polataivao
  22. Lincoln McClutchie
  23. Tomasi Alosi

Unavailable for selection: Xavier Cowley-Tuioti, Jack Lam, Josh Kaifa, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Lotu Inisi, Don Lolo, D’Angelo Leuila, Niko Jones, Levi Aumua, Danny Toala, Henry Taefu, Taukiaha’amea Koloamtangi, Lolagi Visinia, Manu Paea, Jonathan Taumateine, Samuel Slade, Neria Foma’i, Tima Fainga’anuku, Ray Niuia

– Press Release Moana Pasifika

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T
TT 4 hours ago
France snubbing New Zealand tour shows the difference in priorities

Reading this article is like reading someone having a mental breakdown.


European rugby is in endless bankruptcies,  its national sides in endless RWC failings & some of its clubs are only season to season financial propositions BUT, according to the author’s conspiracies, its New Zealand Super Pacific Rugby that, quote, ‘simply isn’t a competition people should take seriously’ (??!!).


That idea while New Zealand Super Pacific Rugby participant clubs continue to profit after 130+ years (& similar traditional Oz club longevity).


Yet it's NZ/Oz rugby that has the viability problem!???


Reality is difficult for you author. See a doctor. Urgently!


But the author's mad rant continues, with the insistence that the way to fix his conspiracy of a sick  Super Pacific Rugby is for it to let all its top players run away OS (surprise, surprise, to Europe to fix its club rugby) by removing OS restrictions  of its best players.


Hurry call an ambulance for the author.


It's simple, a mass exodus of high skill therefore high entertainment players (will that even happen?? ie again given the increasing European restrictions & financial stress in European clubs) will kill the core business of INTEREST in NZ comps & therefore lose the life blood $ of those same TV rights, sponsorships, gate entry, memberships, merchandise, etc. Mass loss in  audience INTEREST & its resulting $$ loss.


RE the French B team for NZ 2025 tests,


If you wanna see where test rugby could end up as (ie 2nd rate) if it continues to allow the  French mismanagement, look at what ‘Indian club cricket money’ control  is doing to test cricket, ie because of A international test team players contracts with  Indian clubs & their $, those players not available for international tests eg South Africa send a ‘B’ test cricket team to NZ last year, likewise West  Indies send a ‘B’ test cricket team to OZ last year.


Relevance to test  rugby & ABs? 

France's reason for not sending their A team for the AB tests in 2025? Quote, 'resting them (!) for the Top 14 club rugby commitments'.


World Rugby is failing to manage & protect the game again.


France CHOSE to make its extra long Top 14  season & not respect the World rugby international window.


France should be removed from test rugby til they do respect it.


Or test rugby will be like failing test cricket very soon by letting national club $ rule over the international game.


If World Rugby allows the degrading of international game it will degrade audience (therefore ratings ), will degrade the $, hence will degrade the $ to players & rugby generally.


World Rugby, Prioritise the international window OVER national club window.


Especially over (despite all it endless irrational hype) failing European club rugby.

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