Shontelle Matano’s Note
Fa’afetai tele lava to all our devoted fans from near and far who have supported us through the highs and lows. This team belongs to our people and we hope you have felt that sense of belonging and connection to what we stand for, over the last five years.
The journey for Moana Pasifika doesn’t end here. This is just part of our story and we look forward to what the future holds.
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Moana Pasifika head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga says the team remains determined for their final match of the season, against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.
“We’ve got nothing to lose and we’ve got to be confident in what we’re doing,” Umaga says. “We’re not going over there just to make up some numbers, we want to go over there and get a good result for ourselves.”
With this being the team’s final match of the season, it provides a chance to reflect on the last five years. Moana Pasifika has worked hard to create a movement and win the hearts of minds of the community.
Umaga shared a special encounter with Moana Pasifika fans after last week’s match, which he says illustrates the true essence of the club.
“I had a great interaction with supporters after the game. They live in Auckland and they tried supporting other teams. They’re also non-Pacific but when they came here they felt like this is a safe place that represents family, faith and they have a good time. [They said] we have a good vibe and that’s encouraging.
“Everything that we have done at our club and what we have tried to portray, we were unapologetically Pacific and some people really resonated with that and they enjoyed that. That’s just us being us,” Umaga says.
The vision to create a pathway for rising Pasifika rugby players has seen the unearthing of stars such as captain Miracle Faiilagi and the explosive Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa. The duo will both take the field in Canberra looking to continue their incredible form.
Tupou Ta’eiloa, 22, features in three of Super Rugby Pacific’s top 10 lists for different stat categories. This includes being ranked 8th in carries (134) and 8th in defenders beaten (37). He is only one of two forwards in the top 10. He is also 10th in tackles with 155.
Allan Craig has also had a tremendous individual season, being a standout for Moana Pasifika in the defensive department. He is fourth in Super Rugby for tackles with 162 so far.
Electrifying winger Israel Leota earns another start at right wing after a Man Of The Match performance against the Reds last week.
The 21-year-old has scored one try in three of his last four Super Rugby Pacific appearances. He has also made five line breaks and 11 tackle breaks across his last three games in the competition.
Joining him again on the right wing is Glen Vaihu who brings his dynamic skills, which sees him ranked 10th in the competition for clean breaks.
Saturday 30th May
GIO Stadium, 4:35pm NZT
Starting XV
1 Malakai Hala-Ngatai
2 Millennium Sanerivi
3 Atu Moli
4 Allan Craig
5 Veikoso Poloniati
6 Miracle Faiilagi (c)
7 Semisi Paea
8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Patrick Pellegrini
11 Glen Vaihu
12 Faletoi Peni
13 Solomon Alaimalo
14 Israel Leota
15 William Havili
Impact
16 Mamoru Harada
17 Abraham Pole
18 Paula Latu
19 Alefosio Aho
20 Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing
21 Melani Matavao
22 Tevita Latu
23 Tuna Tuitama
Unavailable due to injury: Jimmy Tupou (back), Jonathan Taumateine (calf), Julian Savea (shoulder), Lalomilo Lalomilo (calf), Monu Moli (foot), Ngani Laumape (knee), Niko Jones (calf), Tevita Ofa (finger), Tito Tuipulotu (thumb), Tupou Afungia (neck).
ENDS
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