One change for Moana Pasifika team taking on the Reds 

Skilful outside back Losi Filipo has a chance to earn his DHL Super Rugby Pacific debut and his first Moana Pasifika cap off the bench, against the Reds in Brisbane on Friday.  

The inclusion of the Wellington NPC title-winning winger, is the only new face in an otherwise unchanged match day 23, with head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga sticking with the same starting lineup that scored 44 points against the Force in Perth. 

Filipo is an exciting player who played for Manu Samoa, helping them secure a spot in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. 

Moana Pasifika know the Queensland Reds will provide a tough contest, having won five of their last seven games at Suncorp Stadium. 

“We’re looking forward to the challenge against the Reds,” said Moana Pasifika scrum coach Pauliasi Manu. “We’ve got things we’ll look to work on particularly our ruck and set piece.” 

The team will take the learnings from last week’s 45-44 loss against the Force into this game, highlighting the impact of the bench in last week’s scrum. 

“When Tito Tuipulotu and Chris Apoua came on last week, I believe they were dominant. I saw it in their face, they were so keen,” Manu added. 

“It’s both a mental and physical game. If you’re not mentally wanting to pack down a scrum I believe you can’t physically do it. 

“When we lost last week the boys were shattered. For us coaches when we see players like that, it shows us that it means a lot. 

“We’ve done the hard work and training, and we’ve ticked the right boxes so we just need to go out there and do it.” 

This game ends Moana Pasifika’s only tour of Australia this season, as they return home to Auckland to face the Highlanders next Friday 28^th at North Harbour Stadium.   

Unavailable due to injury: Fine Inisi (hamstring), Lotu Inisi (hamstring) and Neria Fomai (knee/out for season).  

Facts:  

• Moana Pasifika carried for 230 metres in contact in the opening round of the 2025 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season, the second-most of any team in the competition behind only the Western Force (275m), while no team made more line breaks than Moana Pasifika (9).  

• Kyren Taumoefolau, who was named in the team of the week for Super Rugby Fantasy, has scored four tries in three games when he has started on the wing away from home, scoring at least one try in each of those three instances. 

• William Havili has been directly involved in five tries (3 tries, 2 try assists) across his last four DHL Super Rugby Pacific games when starting at fullback, including two try assists in the opening round of the 2025 season against the Western Force.  

ENDS

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