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'There's going to be a shock': Moana Pasifika star's message to teammates for Crusaders clash
After two rescheduled draws and a Covid-enforced postponement, Moana Pasifika will finally begin their Super Rugby Pacific journey on Friday night.
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Initially, the new expansion franchise was supposed to play its inaugural Super Rugby match against the Brumbies at Mt Smart Stadium before travel restrictions forced a rejigged draw that pitted Moana Pasifika against the Blues in the season-opener.
That fixture would have been a momentous occasion given the two sides are cross-town rivals, but a Covid outbreak within the Moana Pasifika camp in their Queenstown bubble prevented them from taking to the field in Dunedin on February 18.
Player safety concerns as a result of their 10-day isolation period also meant that their second round match against the Chiefs was also postponed, meaning Moana Pasifika have had to wait until this weekend to make their Super Rugby Pacific debut.
They couldn’t have asked for tougher competition to open their competition account against either, as Moana Pasifika are scheduled to face the Crusaders, the reigning five-time Super Rugby and Super Rugby Aotearoa champions, in Dunedin.
That alone makes this fixture a daunting enough task for Moana Pasifika, but it becomes even more difficult when you consider the Crusaders are set to welcome the return of All Blacks stars Richie Mo’unga and Codie Taylor on Friday.
Even if the Crusaders, who remain unbeaten thus far this season, rest and rotate their leading players who have already featured this year, as has been suggested by assistant coach Scott Hansen, Moana Pasifika will be at long odds to score an improbable win.
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Their 61-7 pre-season thumping at the hands of the Chiefs is reflective of the inexperience within their squad – more half of their roster have never played at Super Rugby level.
As such, plenty of players will make their competition debuts come Friday in a game where a lopsided scoreline against the competition heavyweights and rustiness from Moana Pasifika is expected after exactly one month without a match.
However, while most view that as an insurmountable challenge, Moana Pasifika halfback Ereatara Enari remains highly optimistic about what lies ahead for his side this weekend.
“Couldn’t go much better, I reckon,” Enari told media with a grin when asked on Monday about how daunting it is for Moana Pasifika to make their Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Crusaders.
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“A lot of us are so excited to play one of the best teams in New Zealand, and probably the world.
“A lot of our boys are debuting Super Rugby in this game, probably over 50 percent of our team, so it’s a huge opportunity for us, firstly to debut in Super Rugby, but also against such a strong squad.”
Moana Pasifika assistant coach Filo Tiatia echoed Enari’s sentiments as he described Friday’s fixture as “a great opportunity” for his side despite the challenges they have encountered in recent weeks.
“What a better way to actually have our debut game against the Crusaders, one of the best teams in the world, and we’re just grateful that we’re part of an awesome competition filled with legacy,” Tiatia said.
“We’re just starting, and we under no illusions about how challenging it’s going to be, but the reality is that we can only put our best foot forward and keep growing and keep learning, so we’re excited, as Ere mentioned before.”
Formerly a Crusader himself, having won five titles with the franchise between 2017 and 2021, Enari is one of the few Moana Pasifika players with Super Rugby experience to his name.
That makes the former New Zealand U20 representative a crucial member of the Moana Pasifka set-up whose professional knowledge and expertise will be invaluable for the season ahead.
With that in mind, Enari offered a message to his less-experienced teammates about what to expect when they run out onto Forsyth Barr Stadium this weekend.
“We’ve talked a little bit about it, that you won’t understand what it feels like until you’re out there. There’s going to be a shock to the system at some point, and it’s how we respond to that, that’s going to be the biggest thing,” he said.
“My view on how I want our men to run out there is just to enjoy every moment. You can’t overthink things when it’s such a big occasion, one of the biggest moments in your career.
“If you overthink it, you might not enjoy it, so I just want them to enjoy every moment out there, no matter what it looks like to them, and that’ll be a win for us, I think.”
Similarly, Tiatia said that success for Moana Pasifika this weekend would be to simply take part in the match after weeks of delay and disruption.
“I think just to get at the starting line is success for us. It’s been 26 years that a Pacific team [hasn’t been in Super Rugby],” he said.
“We saw the Drua, they debuted a couple of weeks ago, and that was a very proud moment for our people, and it’s no different for us this coming Friday for our supporters, particularly our families, but also different people I haven’t [from] in such a long time that have reconnected. They’re excited.
“Knowing our Pasifika people, they’ll have some words of encouragement, but also some strong opinions as well, as our people are.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to comments