Former Wallabies and Melbourne Rebels prop Pone Fa’amausili will get a chance to make his long-awaited debut for Moana Pasifika, when they take on the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The 28-year-old played seven Tests for the Wallabies between 2022 and 2023, with his last appearance coming that Rugby World Cup in France.
At 1.96m tall (6 foot 5 inches), Fa’amausili is a welcome addition to a side that is pushing hard for a Super Rugby Pacific playoff spot, sitting just two points outside the top-six with four games in hand.
“Having moved to Auckland from Melbourne last year, all I’ve wanted is to get a chance like this,” said Fa’amausili. “Before that, I had five months off rugby due to injury so I’ve had to work really hard to get to this point.
“I really love this team and I can’t wait to get to Dunedin and get things going with the boys.”
Fa’amausili is one of only four changes that head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga has made to the team that defeated the Fijian Drua 34-15 last week.
Chris Apoua earns a start at tight-head prop while Manawatū Turbos Ofa Tauatevalu will also get his opportunity to make his Super Rugby Pacific and Moana Pasifika debut off the bench.
“We’re looking forward to having Pone do a job for us this weekend,” Umaga said. “It’s been a long road back for him and we’re happy to see him get his chance this weekend.
“The same goes for Ofa, who has worked really hard since our pre-season. Both of these players are part of the reason we have good depth this season. They’ve been pushing the rest of the squad really hard and preparing them well for games – now they get their chance.”
In the backline Kyren Taumoefolau returns to the starting lineup at left wing, while Tevita Ofa earns another start on the right wing where he has excelled.
The in-form loose forward trio of Miracle Faiilagi, captain Ardie Savea and Southland’s Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa will be rolled out again this week. Faiilagi and Tupou Ta’eiloa featured in the fantasy team of the week in Round 11 while Savea tops the Super Rugby player of the year ladder.
Ofa had a memorable performance against the Drua last week, with 91 post contact metres, 12 tackles, five defenders beaten, 188 metres carried, four linebreaks and a try.
Fans will also get to witness the explosive midfield duo of Danny Toala and Lalomilo Lalomilo light up the park again, with their chemistry shining through this season.
Team
1. Tito Tuipulotu
2. Millennium Sanerivi
3. Chris Apoua
4. Tom Savage
5. Samuel Slade
6. Miracle Faiilagi
7. Ardie Savea (captain)
8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa
9. Jonathan Taumateine
10. Jackson Garden-Bachop
11. Kyren Taumoefolau
12. Danny Toala
13. Lalomilo Lalomilo
14. Tevita Ofa
15. William Havili
Impact
16. Tomasi Maka
17. Monu Moli
18. Pone Fa’amausili * debut
19. Ofa Tauatevalu * debut
20. Sione Havili Talitui
21. Melani Matavao
22. Julian Savea
23. Patrick Pellegrini
Unavailable due to injury: Alamanda Motuga (shoulder), Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou (concussion), Fine Inisi (ankle), James Lay (neck), Lotu Inisi (knee), Michael Curry (neck), Neria Fomai (knee/out for season), Sama Malolo (shoulder/out for season), Samiuela Moli (rib), Sione Mafile’o (neck), Solomon Alaimalo (foot).
ENDS
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