Moana Pasifika’s 2024 Forward and Attacking Player of the Year, Lotu Inisi will get a chance to play his first match of the season, when they face the Hurricanes in a crucial game to secure a playoff spot this Saturday night in Wellington.
Head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga has made only two other changes to his team from last week.
This includes former Hurricane Julian Savea who will start at second five-eighth while another ex-hurricane and Wellington Lions back, Pepesana Patafilo will bring impact off the bench.
The final match of the regular season is highly-anticipated with many connections between both teams, giving fans the chance to see familiar faces and exciting match-ups.
Ex-Hurricane Jackson Garden-Bachop who has been named on the bench, will also return to a place that is very special to him.
“It’s exciting, Wellington is a place that I love, that’s my home,” Garden-Bachop said. “I’ve got a lot of friends in that team so I’m excited to get down there and put on a good challenge for them.
“There’s a big Pasifika community in Wellington so hopefully they turn out and make some noise for us.
“[The Hurricanes] play a really expansive game. Their defence has been really strong and they’ve got some real weapons at the breakdown that will try put us under pressure, so we’ve got to be on,” Garden-Bachop added.
In the starting lineup, captain Ardie Savea will play his second game for Moana against his former team who he won a title with in 2016.
Jonathan Taumateine who also had a stint with the Hurricanes between 2020-2021, will look to continue his tremendous form in the starting halfback position.
Unavailable due to injury: Alamanda Motuga (shoulder), Danny Toala (hamstring), James Lay (neck), Michael Curry (knee), Neria Fomai (knee/season), Pone Fa’amausili (calf), Sama Malolo (shoulder/season), Sione Havili Talitui (achilles), William Havili (knee).
Team
1. Tito Tuipulotu
2. Millennium Sanerivi
3. Feleti Sae -Ta’ufo’ou
4. Tom Savage
5. Samuel Slade
6. Miracle Faiilagi
7. Ardie Savea (c)
8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa
9. Jonathan Taumateine
10. Patrick Pellegrini
11. Solomon Alaimalo
12. Julian Savea
13. Lalomilo Lalomilo
14. Kyren Taumoefolau
15. Tevita Ofa
Impact
16. Samiuela Moli
17. Abraham Pole
18. Chris Apoua
19. Allan Craig
20. Lotu Inisi
21. Melani Matavao
22. Jackson Garden-Bachop
23. Pepesana Patafilo
ENDS
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