Highlanders vs Moana Pasifika

2022 - 4 - 8

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Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

Highlanders beat Moana Pasifika 37-17 but injuries strike pack (Stuff.co.nz)

The Highlanders secure a bonus point victory to break their Super Rugby drought as lineout drive punishes ill-disciplined visitors.

Like elite athletes at their peak, our sports journalists are highly trained in the art of news. However, the injuries to Frizell and Selby-Rickit will be a concern. So we're asking you to support us with more than your attention. They would have been much further ahead, but Mitch Hunt had a poor night with the boot. Plenty of tough carries and good lineout work. The Highlanders will also take some comfort from Hicks’ excellent debut.

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Image courtesy of "Wide World of Sports"

Injury blow to All Blacks gun sours Highlanders win (Wide World of Sports)

The Highlanders beat Moana Pasifia but its win was soured by injuries to Shannon Frizell and Manaaki Selby-...

However, the injuries to Frizell and Selby-Rickit must be a concern. Plenty of tough carries and good lineout work. They would have been much further ahead, but Mitch Hunt had a poor night with the boot. The Highlanders will also take some comfort from Hicks' excellent debut. Marino Mikaele-Tu'u. For the second week in a row, the Highlanders No.8 showed what a good player he is with a busy and physical performance. The Highlanders lost Shannon Frizell in the opening seconds of the game, with the All Blacks flanker twisting his left knee as he took the kick-off and carried the ball into contact.

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Image courtesy of "Otago Daily Times"

Highlanders claim first victory after taking down Moana Pasifika (Otago Daily Times)

The Highlanders beat Moana Pasifika 37-17 at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight. Five of the six tries could be traced back to those thrilling driving mauls, not that ...

Makalio looked to have bagged his second from another lineout drive early in the second half. It was ruled out. But they are a lot more tolerable when it is your side rumbling forward and scoring tries that way. The Highlanders had been kicking the ball away but switched tactics and got a lot of mileage out of the maul. In a show of respect the Highlanders welcomed Moana Pasifika with a haka. Who says rolling mauls are boring?

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Highlanders drive to first win of season (New Zealand Herald)

The Highlanders lost star loose forward Shannon Frizell to injury in the opening play of the game, before Ethan de Groot cleaned up a wayward lineout and Mosese ...

It made sense - lineout drives have been a staple of the Highlanders' attack for years and with Moana Pasifika still a forward down, they had the advantage – but it was far from the most entertaining product. In a stretch of play that started immediately after the penalty goal, wing Timoci Tavatavanawai showed why so many people are excited to watch him play as he wound up and charged through the Highlanders defence. The match started in rather frantic fashion for the hosts; within three minutes, the Highlanders were seven points up and one substitution down.

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Image courtesy of "1 News"

Braces for Dawai, Marshall help Highlanders claim first win (1 News)

The pair scored two tries each in the Southerners' 37-17 win over Moana Pasifika at home.

It took 12 minutes for the Highlanders to extend their lead when substitute Rhys Marshall latched onto the back of a lineout drive and scored. The Highlanders took advantage of their extra man and Dawai crossed for his second try on the stroke of half-time to take a 17-10 lead into the lockeroom. Hooker Andrew Makalio restored the Highlanders' lead when he drove over from a lineout for the team's second try.

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Image courtesy of "Newshub"

Super Rugby Pacific: Highlanders snap losing streak for first victory ... (Newshub)

Try doubles to winger Mosese Dawai and reserve hooker Rhys Marshall saw the hosts capitalise on another ill-disciplined display from Moana Pasifika, who now ...

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Image courtesy of "RugbyPass"

Highlanders player ratings vs Moana Pasifika | Super Rugby Pacific (RugbyPass)

The Highlanders nabbed their first win in 2022 after taking down Moana Pasifika 37-17 at Forsyth Barr on Friday evening. Who were the victors' best ...

On for his debut in the 25th minute after Selby-Rickit hobbled off. Still has a ways to go with his option taking, however, his improvement week to week shows he’s on the right path. Covered the kick space well and was dangerous on the return. Was guilty of a few aimless kicks which put them under pressure though, and an off night from the tee kept the opposition within striking distance up until the closing stages. Was somewhat of a Swiss army knife having had touches in all facets of the game. Took care of business with the former, but some better footwork may have meant he is less sore tomorrow morning. Subbed off for Fakatava with a quarter to play. Should learn to pick his moments better as he gets more reps under his belt. The toiler amongst this evening’s loosie trio. Not quite as involved as De Groot, although he too seemed to have more venom in the contact area than in previous outings. Trudged away with the drudgery during open play as well. Didn’t shy away from confrontation on defence either after finishing with just over a dozen tackles.

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Image courtesy of "RugbyPass"

Aaron Mauger will eventually lose patience with Moana Pasifika's ill ... (RugbyPass)

Moana Pasifika have defied expectations so far this year but there's one simple area of the game that's letting them down: their discipline.

Twice Moana Pasifika lost players to the bin in Friday’s defeat and neither of those were a result of simply not being up to the same standard as their opposition. Moana Pasifika have shown that when they’re able to keep their discipline in check, they’re able to match it with the best teams in this competition. If you’re not able to bring a maul down legally (or at least in a way that the referee isn’t going to ping you for), then you shouldn’t be constantly swimming up the sides and taking out the legs of opposition players or you will simply add to the misery and end up having to play with a disadvantage in numbers. You could forgive the new boys of Super Rugby for not being as fit as their opposition, as well-drilled or as astute at game management, or even simply not as talented. Because they did well, the Highlanders, to execute the three they did get, and that ultimately was the difference.” Following almost every game that Moana Pasifika have played, Mauger has acknowledged that discipline has let the team down.

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