Assistant coach Dale MacLeod believes with time on its side Moana Pasifika will develop into a real threat in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
“For a lot of the boys, this level is new to them. The culture is genuine, we are not having to go outside the organisation to find what inspires the people, because it’s all authentic. That was before it eventually was confirmed that Moana Pasifika would actually play the Chiefs in Auckland on Saturday night. The New Zealand conference, the talent in the coaching groups and players, it is a massive challenge every week. “We’ve been training really well but [on Saturday night] the Chiefs just put us under pressure with their physicality and their speed at the breakdown. When they shook Omicron it then spread through other New Zealand teams causing more chaos for Moana Pasifika’s playing schedule.
Join us at 7pm, as the Super Rugby newcomers chase their maiden win in their first 'home' game.
In their win over the Crusaders in Christchurch last weekend, the Chiefs showed they could hold on to possession and make it count not only on the scoreboard, ...
The Chiefs, on the other hand, have earnt the right to have a target on their back for the rest of the competition as the in-form team in New Zealand. The Chiefs were helped in staying on the ball through an extremely lopsided penalty count, with Moana Pasifika feeling the wrath of the referee's whistle, and constantly having to muscle up on the defensive end saw gaps open up late and the Chiefs turn the heat up in the second half. In their win over the Crusaders in Christchurch last weekend, the Chiefs showed they could hold on to possession and make it count not only on the scoreboard, but in terms of putting the opposition through the ringer defensively.
Moana Pasifika hosted the Chiefs at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland for their first home game for round five of Super Rugby Pacific.
Was exposed on the outside as a result of his centres bunching up in defence. Replaced by Fine Inisi in the 63rd minute. His only major involvement was delivering a nice offload to set up a Moana Pasifika attacking break. Was yellow-carded in the 57th minute. Was destructive in his carries and would have benefited from more ball in his hands. The skipper led his team valiantly and played an important part in setting up a platform for Moana Pasifika’s attack early on. However, Moana Pasifika was starved of territory and possession for most of the game, and the Chiefs ran in two more tries before halftime. Won some crucial line-outs in the second half. The Chiefs ran in nine tries to Moana Pasifika’s two, who scored a late consolation try. Went off for running repairs around the 20-minute mark following a head-clash with Leali’ifano but returned shortly after. To give him credit, he worked hard and lasted until the 68th minute. Unfortunately, he had a couple over-throws at lineout time when Moana Pasifika were in an attacking position.
Moana Pasifika have been convincingly beaten by the Chiefs 59-12 in their Super Rugby Pacific match at Mt Smart Stadium.
The match is the only game being played in Aotearoa this week for Super Rugby Pacific, with Covid-19 cases amongst the squads postponing the other two fixtures. Despite not being able to call upon 17 squad members through Covid-19 cases and injuries, the Chiefs ran away with the match in the second half to record their third win in four games. Moana Pasifika have been convincingly beaten by the Chiefs 59-12 in their Super Rugby Pacific match at Mt Smart Stadium.
The severely under-strength Chiefs overwhelmed Moana Pasifika 59-12 on Saturday in the only match played in New Zealand during the fifth round of Super ...
Weber Vaa’i and Pita Gus Sowakula were among the try-scorers as the Chiefs rammed home a significant territorial advantage. It showed signs of rustiness on Saturday. Placed under almost constant pressure by the Chiefs who had a heavy share of possession, its defensive weaknesses were glaringly exposed. “He’s got ice in his veins that boy, we had full faith in him for that last kick,” Kaitu’u said. In the final match of the weekend, the New South Wales Waratahs kept Melbourne winless on the season with a 24-19 win over the Rebels in Sydney. A dominant first half was key to the win, with tries to Lalakai Foketi and Will Harris giving the Waratahs a 14-6 lead. We didn’t try to force too much.” “We didn’t try to chance our arm too much when the game opened up,” Weber said.