Moana Pasifika show there's life after Ardie Savea

Moana Pasifika have shown there is life after Ardie Savea with a historic 40-26 Super Rugby Pacific win over the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.

Replacing Savea as captain, powerhouse flanker Miracle Faiilagi fittingly proved the difference with a try-scoring hat-trick as the Pasifika recorded their first ever win at Churchill Park.

With Savea – the 2023 world player of the year, reigning Super Rugby Pacific player of the year and five-time All Blacks player of the year – on sabbatical in Japan, there were concerns Moana would struggle to back up their best season yet in the competition.

But proving somewhat of a like-for-like replacement for their spiritual leader, Faiilagi morphed from Savea’s understudy to Pasifika leader with tries in the ninth, 16th and 41st minutes on Saturday.

“We know it’s hard coming here, with their support, and, yeah, it’s good to get,” the modest Faiilagi said after the match.

“It’s our bread and butter getting to that 22 (line), and I just play at the back of what the backs are doing to just get it on our scoreline.

“We came here for a task to win here. The crowd here, it’s quite wild. They’re one of the (most) loyal fans in the Super Rugby, but I’m very happy.

“I’m very proud of each and every one of the players and the management as well for what they do behind the scenes.”

Faiilagi’s early double, after fellow damaging back-rower Semisi Tupou opened the scoring in the fourth minute, had Moana leading 21-0.

The Drua tried to work their way back into the contest and eventually found points through centre Tuidraki Samusamuvodre in the 22nd minute to briefly stem the tide.

But with flanker Mesake Vocevoce sent to the bin for a professional foul, the home team were quickly back on the defence, before winger Tevita Ofa cashed in on the one-man advantage to extend Pasifika’s lead to 28-7.

Drua recruit Virimi Vakatawa helped reduce the deficit to 16 points on the stroke of halftime, breaking clear and throwing a moon ball over his head for open-side flanker Kitione Salawa to cross.

When co-captain Temo Mayanavanua crashed over in the 65th minute, following a neat 50-22, suddenly the Drua were back within a converted try of the visitors.

But ill discipline cost the Drua as they conceded costly penalties in the lead-up to replacement forward Ofa Tauatevalu’s match-sealing try three minutes from fulltime.

Drua captain Temo Mayanavanua conceded his side would need to improve markedly before a six-day turnaround to face a NSW Waratahs outfit in Sydney coming off a resounding 36-12 start against the Queensland Reds on Friday night.

“Moana started really well. They’re a quality outfit,” Mayanavanua said.

“They brought it to us. It took us 40 minutes to answer.

“Hats off to the boys for pulling their socks up and fighting hard, but I think it’s just discipline.

“Moana was able to capitalise on our our mistakes and they did it really well, executed in the right areas of the field.

“Going into the next round, our discipline really needs to improve.”