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Sydney-born Patrick Pellegrini headlines Moana Pasifika side for Waratahs

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 29: Patrick Pellegrini of Moana Pasifika passes the ball during the round seven Super Rugby Pacific match between Crusaders and Moana Pasifika at Apollo Projects Stadium, on March 29, 2025, in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
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Sydney-born playmaker Patrick Pellegrini will play a Super Rugby Pacific match at Allianz Stadium for the first time in just a couple of days, with Moana Pasifika naming their team to face the Waratahs on Friday evening.

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Pellegrini has been selected at first five-eighth, starting alongside Melani Matavao in the halves, who is back from injury. Jonathan Tuamateine is also returning from a stint on the sidelines, set to provide cover off the bench.

Tuna Tuitama is back in the run-on side on one wing, joining Glen Vaihu and William Havili in the outside backs trio. Inside centre Tevito Latu and outside centre Soloman Alaimalo make up the midfield pairing, rounding out the starting backline.

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In the forwards, Abraham Pole is back in the First XV at loosehead prop. Pole will pack down next to hooker Millennium Sanerivi and tighthead Chris Apoua, while Paula Latu is one of the front-row replacements selected.

Tom Savage and Veikoso Poloniati are the two starting locks, while captain Miracle Faiilagi leads the team from blindside flanker once again. Openside flanker Semisi Paea and No. 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa complete the First XV.

Moana have won three of their previous four meetings with the Waratahs, including a 33-24 win at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on June 2, 2023.

Fixture
Super Rugby Pacific
Waratahs
29 - 14
Full-time
Moana Pasifika
All Stats and Data

Moana Pasifika to take on NSW Waratahs

1. Abraham Pole

2. Millennium Sanerivi

3. Chris Apoua

4. Tom Savage

5. Veikoso Poloniati

6. Miracle Faiilagi (c)

7. Semisi Paea

8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa

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9. Melani Matavao

10. Patrick Pellegrini

11. Glen Vaihu

12. Tevita Latu

13. Solomon Alaimalo

14. Tuna Tuitama

15. William Havili

Replacements

16. Samiuela Moli

17. Malakai Hala-Ngatai

18. Paula Latu

19. Jimmy Tupou

20. Ola Tauelangi

21. Jonathan Taumateine

22. Faletoi Peni

23. Tyle Pulini

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SB 1 hour ago
It's premature to anoint Ruben Love as the All Blacks No.10 without winning anything

Please do not lie to me. Proctor had some nice moments but overall was not very good by anyone’s imagination. If he was, he’d be guaranteed to be the 13 this year and that’s certainly not the case. From his misread against Attissogbe in Dunedin to his intercept for Kolbe or his defensive lapse with Tupaea to allow Dingwall to waltz in, he showed a lot of deficiencies that we didn’t see exposed as much in Super Rugby.

As for Reece, he started the season as first choice winger but got concussed early in Dunedin against France C/D. Then he came back and put in an ineffective performance against them in Hamilton. A couple of pick and gos, that was about it. Then in Argentina for the first test he had a couple of walk in tries, nice finishes that you’d expect from any international winger. Then in the second test he was atrocious, absolutely bullied as part of a back 3 which was aerially taken apart in a match where the All Blacks were dominated. Watch the replay on YouTube if you like, if you remove your one eyed perspective and mentality (I know it will almost be impossible for you) then it will be very clear to you. The back 3 of Ioane, Reece and Jordan was not good aerially however the great Super Rugby winning coach Scott Robertson said after the game they were expecting a lot of aerial contests. Makes you question why that back 3 was selected in the first place, although it certainly wouldn’t be the only selection you’d question under Razor. Of course the quality of M. Carreras, Delguy and Mallia make a difference too. Playing in a higher standard of competition has helped them, I’m sure you know where they play their club rugby. To compound that, Reece then was yellow carded for a boneheaded one hand out intercept which was New Zealand’s third sin binning of the match.



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