Moana Pasifika

Moana Pasifika 24 Hurricanes 19 Search far and wide and you will struggle to find a more inspired, committed performance than Moana Pasifika delivered at.

After losses to the Crusaders and Chiefs they have knocked off the 2016 Super Rugby champions, and can now start dreaming of further underdog triumphs. The Hurricanes battled to find a way through resilient, punishing defence all evening. Down Rayasi's absent wing, Tima Fainga'anuku's offload to Aumua brought Moana level with 14 minutes remaining. By driving the Hurricanes ball carriers back, Moana found success counter rucking. The rest is history. A maiden Super Rugby victory is theirs, thanks to Danny Toala's try in golden point extra time.

DHL Super Rugby Pacific's heritage round saw all six games completed, a rare event during the Covid-affected season with crowds back in the picture in New ...

First off it was wing Caleb Clarke, cutting back on the angle from a pass by second five-eighths Bryce Heem. First five-eighths Beauden Barrett positioned himself on the sideline from a five-metre scrum and although there was a mix-up at the base of the scrum, halfback Sam Nock managed to clear the ball to Barrett whose speed got him over. Another goal-line melee effort saw flanker Fraser McReight follow up with another try which was followed almost immediately by an intercept to wing Jock Campbell that sealed the deal. But hooker Codie Taylor had the final say scoring from a lineout maul to complete the redemption win. But soon after, in attempting to stop wing Tony Pulu scoring in the corner, Banks went high, clashed heads with Pulu, without wrapping his arms in an attempted tackle and was red-carded for his effort resulting in a penalty try for the Force. A piece of magic from wing Manasa Mataele down the sideline, allowed him to pass inside for centre Kyle Godwin to score. It was only seven minutes before the southerners scored the first of their five tries, to No8 Cullen Grace, who marked his return to best form by charging through the defence to score. An orthodox backline movement saw fullback Will Jordan free on the end to cross for the Crusaders. Just before halftime the Chiefs showed they could also score off a set lineout play and from a superb Quinn Tupaea pass Nankiville crossed for his second in wide open space. It seemed the Chiefs were down and out but that man Nankiville ran rampant through the mid-field and passed to replacement halfback Cortez Ratima for the try. But it was all too late as prop Cabous Eloff and prop Cameron Orr scored tries to extend the lead en route to their first win of the season. Quelling the Highlanders' determination carried the Blues to their win in Dunedin. It seemed every time the Blues scored, and they touched down four times, the Highlanders lifted their motivation to almost immediately wipe out the advantage in the second half. Eight minutes into the second half, Rebels second five-eighths Raymond Nu'u somehow found space, in the previously solid Drua defence, to run 30m to score. Umaga-Jensen's passing skill came to the fore again when turning the ball inside to wing Josh Moorby, who took a gap then out-paced the defence to score. As the ball came clear, it was flicked to Funaki who levelled the scores forcing the game to its golden point.

Moana Pasifika have won their first game of Super Rugby Pacific with a golden point victory over the Hurricanes at Mt Smart Stadium.

Moana Pasifika had only played twice in six weeks before welcoming the Hurricanes to their near empty stadium, but they showed fight to foot it with a Hurricanes side that had won two of their three games this season. After an extended break the Hurricanes could not hold off a determined Moana Pasifika who won 24-19 in the first golden point game of the new competition. Moana Pasifika have won their first game of Super Rugby Pacific with a golden point victory over the Hurricanes at Mt Smart Stadium.

After weeks of Covid uncertainty and season-opening drubbings, Moana Pasifika are finally on the board in Super Rugby Pacific.

Holding a 19-12 lead heading into the match’s final 10 minutes, the chance for Moana Pasifika take the match to golden point and potentially secure a victory for the first time in their history was still very much on the cards. Perhaps there was a touch of fortune about the half-time stalemate for Moana Pasifika given a potential try on debut for Morgan was rubbed out because of a forward pass by Umaga-Jensen. The loss of a man would come back to bite them, though, as a spectacular offload by Tima Fainga’anuku put Aumua away for a 40-metre canter to dot down in the right-hand corner, which is where Rayasi would have been if he was still on the park.

Credit / Sky Sport History was made with Moana Pasifika's golden point victory over the Wellington Hurricanes at Mt Smart Stadium in Tāmaki Makaurau on...

Moana Pasifika earned their first victory in Super Rugby Pacific in emphatic style. Midfield back, Danny Toala went the length of the field chasing his own ...

Moana Pasifika number 8, Henry Time-Stowers had a strong game at ruck time with multiple breakdown steals while also managing to get over the line for a try. Taefu has a wealth of experience and his combination with flyhalf Christian Lealiifano served to control the game well for Moana Pasifika. However, last night’s victory over the Hurricanes established Moana Pasifika as a definite threat to any side on their day.