Tana Umaga set for milestone as rookie earns start for Moana Pasifika
Moana Pasifika have already achieved as many wins in this young season as they did in the entirety of the last and will have the chance to even their season record when they face the Western Force in round four.
It’s a special week for coach Tana Umaga who will lead the team into his 50th Super Rugby Pacific game as a head coach, offering even more motivation for a good result.
“For me, it’s about the team and how we’re going. But it’s an achievement and we’ll tick it off. Hopefully, we’ll get a celebration after a good performance by us on the weekend,” Umaga said.
The Moana team will again be without their captain James Lay, with recent recruit Sione Havili Talitui again stepping in as captain in Lay’s absence.
Development player Kyren Taumoefolau has been promoted to a starting role for the first time after impressing off the bench in recent weeks and at the Rugby World Cup for Tonga. the 20-year-old joins Nigel Ah Wong and Danny Toala in an electric back three.
“I was so happy and excited, I couldn’t wait to tell my family and friends. I’m grateful for the opportunity to showcase my talent and represent my team and family this weekend in Perth,” Taumoefolau said.
“The boys have been really welcoming and it’s been so good to learn from some of the greats in the game. The culture that Moana has allows me to play freely and gives me confidence to play my game.”
Super Rugby Pacific’s all-time leading try-scorer Julian Savea lines up in the midfield again, inside Henry Taefu.
Christian Leali’ifano will be running things in the 10 jersey, with Ere Enari feeding him at halfback.
The impressive form of Lotu Inisi will again be on show, holding down the back of the scrum at No. 8. Havili Talitui and Jacob Norris join him in the loose forwards.
The second row features Tom Savage and Allan Craig with a front row of Abraham Pole, Sama Malolo and Sekope Kepu rounding at the tight five in a powerful front row.
Moana Pasifika team to face the Western Force
- Abraham Pole
- Sama Malolo
- Sekope Kepu
- Tom Savage
- Allan Craig
- Jacob Norris
- Sione Havili Talitui
- Lotu Inisi
- Ereatara Enari
- Christian Leali’ifano
- Kyren Taumoefolau
- Julian Savea
- Henry Taefu
- Nigel Ah Wong
- Danny Toala
Reserves
16. Samuel Moli
17. Sateki Latu
18. Sione Mafileo
19. Ola Tauelagi
20. Irie Papuna
21. Melani Matavao
22. William Havili
23. Pepesana Patafilo
Unavailable due to injury: Alamanda Motuga, James Lay, Jonathan Taumateine, Miracle Fai’ilagi, Ofa Tauatevalu, Samuel Slade, Solomone Funaki.
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments