Son of All Blacks legend set for Moana Pasifika debut
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo 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.
54 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.
3 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
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 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
54 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.
54 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. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. 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.
54 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.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments