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Son of All Blacks legend set for Moana Pasifika debut

By Tom Vinicombe
Niko Jones. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Moana Pasifika have completely rotated their 23 for this weekend’s clash with the Chiefs, with no player set to wear the same jersey on Saturday as they did against the Hurricanes earlier in the week.

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Saturday afternoon’s fixture will mark the third time that Moana Pasifika have taken to the field in seven days, necessitating the significant changes from head coach Aaron Mauger.

Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Ray Niuia and Chris Apoua will combine in the front row, with the former two backing up after coming off the pine against the Hurricanes, and Apoua set for his run-on debut.

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In the second row, Veikoso Poloniati and Mahonri Ngakuru will partner up for the first time. Ngakuru is the only player in the starting XV to have also started against the Hurricanes but he’ll shift from the No 4 jersey to No 5.

Regular lock Michael Curry will run out on the blindside flank while Niko Jones will debut in the No 7 jersey – the same jersey his father Michael wore 33 times for the All Blacks during the 80s and 90s. Sione Tuipulotu, who has started three times at No 6 this year, will pack down at the back of the scrum.

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Hawke’s Bay halves Ereatara Enari and Lincoln McClutchie will lead the team around the park for the third time this year while Henry Taefu – named as captain in the absence of Sekope Kepu – and Solomone Kata will form a sizeable midfield.

In the outside backs, Anzelo Tuitavuki returns on the left wing after last featuring against the Blues at the end of March while Fijian flyer Timoci Tavatavanawai has switched over to the right after impressing earlier in the season at No 11. William Havili resumes his normal role at fullback after ceding the jersey to Lolagi Visinia for the mid-week fixture.

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Samiuela Moli, Tau Koloamatangi, Suetenu Asomua, Alex McRobbie and Josh Kaifa make up the forward reinforcements on the bench while Jonathan Taumateine, Fine Inisi and Tomasi Alosio will cover the backs.

Saturday’s clash with the Chiefs marks Moana Pasifika’s final regular season fixture against Kiwi opposition this year, with games still to come against the five Australian franchises as well as Fijian Drua. It will also mark their fourth away clash in a row and their third opportunity at getting a victory over the Chiefs, having gone down 61-7 in the pre-season and 59-12 in their first competition match-up this year.

The fixture kicks off at 4:35pm NZT from FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.

Moana Pasifika: William Havili, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Solomone Kata, Henry Taefu, Anzelo Tuitavuki, Lincoln McClutchie, Ereatara Enari, Sione Tuipulotu, Niko Jones, Michael Curry, Mahonri Ngakuru, Veikoso Poloniati, Chris Apoua, Ray Niuia, Ezekiel Lindenmuth. Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Tau Koloamatangi, Suetena Asomua, Alex McRobbie, Josh Kaifa, Jonathan Taumateine, Fine Inisi, Tomasi Alosio.

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Adrian 1 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

8 Go to comments
T
Trevor 3 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 7 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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