Moana Pasifika team named to play Fijian Drua in much-anticipated first match
The much-anticipated match between DHL Super Rugby Pacific’s newcomers, Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua, is set to take place on Saturday 14 May at Sydney’s CommBank stadium, with a local kick off time of 2:35pm.
Both teams enter the match with just one win under their belt and are searching for a second to reignite their respective seasons. The match will be the start of a significant rivalry between the two Pacific Island teams.
Moana Pasifika winger Timoci Tavatavanawai is excited to play against his former Fiji Under 20 teammates and former boarding school roommate, Meli Derenalagi. “It’s going to be cool playing against the Drua boys, they’re like my brothers. I played with half of the team when I was younger. I’ve never played against them so it’s going to be interesting”
“My whole family back home in Fiji will be watching. They support Moana Pasifika and the Drua but they will be backing the Moana boys and I on Saturday.”
Head Coach Aaron Mauger has made several changes to his side that were defeated 26-20 by the Waratahs.
The front row remains consistent with Moana Pasifika’s top try-scorer Abraham Pole at loosehead prop, Ray Niuia at hooker and captain Sekope Kepu will play at tighthead.
Hard-working and versatile loose forward Michael Curry shifts into the locking position and Alex McRobbie is elevated from the bench to the starting lineup.
Sione Tu’ipulotu rejoins the match day 23 and is accompanied by Solomone Funaki and henry-Time stowers in the loosies.
Ereatara Enari will feed the ball to Lincoln McClutchie, who earns his first start since round 5. Head Coach Aaron Mauger has been impressed with McClutchie in his debut season.
“Christian has been in outstanding form but unfortunately hasn’t been able to train this week due to illness. We trust Lincoln to do the job so we have made an early call in the best interests of both Lincoln and the teams preparation,” says Mauger.
“Lincoln is a quality rugby player who has made big improvements during our campaign, we’re excited for him that he gets the opportunity to start and showcase his abilities from the first minute this week.”
A new look midfield combination will also be revealed on Saturday when Danny Toala pairs with block-busting centre, Solomone Kata. Both missed last week’s match due to illness.
Aaron Mauger says, “Danny comes back into the midfield after performing well in both the 12 and 15 jersey. His wide range of skills mean that he can play in multiple positions which gives us options when picking a backline each week, based on form and also the specifics in our game plan.”
“That position is at 12 this week and he forms an exciting combination with Solomone Kata who is hitting some strong form and deserves his start.”
Timoci Tavatavanawai and Tima Fainga’anuku have cemented their spots on the wing and will be joined by William Havili at fullback.
There is plenty of firepower to come from the bench with the experienced Jack Lam and Christian Leali’ifano to provide impact.
Levi Aumua and Samuel Slade have been stood down for a breach of team protocols and are not available for selection.
Unavailable due to injury or illness: Lotu Inisi, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Mike McKee, Don Lolo, Alamanda Motuga, Neria Foma’I, Anzelo Tuitavuiki.
Moana Pasifika team to take on the Fijian Drua:
1. Abraham Pole
2. Ray Niuia
3. Sekope Kepu (C)
4. Michael Curry
5. Alex McRobbie
6. Sione Tu’ipulotu
7. Solomone Funaki
8. Henry Time-Stowers
9. Ereatara Enari
10. Lincoln McClutchie
11. Timoci Tavatavanawai
12. Danny Toala
13. Solomone Kata
14. Tima Fainga’anuku
15. William Havili
Reserves
16. Samiuela Moli
17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth
18. Joe ‘Apikotoa
19. Veikoso Poloniati
20. Jack Lam
21. Jonathan Taumateine
22. Christian Leali’ifano
23. Henry Taefu
-Press Release/Moana Pasifika
Comments on RugbyPass
To me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
30 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
30 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
30 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
30 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
30 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
30 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
30 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to comments