First outing for Moana Pasifika showing that the road ahead is a steep one.

Moana Pasifika officially took to the field, for their first ever outing on the Super Rugby scene, clashing against a well-oiled Gallagher Chiefs side, who proved too strong for the new comers. Showcasing the level of Rugby Moana Pasifika will have to contend with in their 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

The match-up started well enough for the Pacific Island team, showing good form in the opening few minutes of the match, however, to no avail as in the 12th minute of the first 30minutes of the pre-season match, the seasoned Chiefs forward pack proved too strong for the new comers with hooker Leni Apasi crashing over for the first try of the match before Laglan McWhannell doubled his teams lead not long after.

Before the first 3o minutes of the match was up chances to close the gap was offered with ill-discipline from the chiefs giving Moana good field position but NOT could take advantage, which also  including two denied tries off of referee calls.

The second 30 minutes of the match fared no different for the home team, with a hand full of infringements costing them great opportunities, as well as a well-organized chiefs backline punishing them with a try from winger Etene Nanai Seturo .

That was just the start as the Chiefs seemingly ran away with the match from that point on in all aspects of the game shutting Moana Pasifika down defensively all the while out-classing them in a flurry of set piece attacks that almost always resulted in a try.

On the 82nd minute of the match Moana Pasifika finally crossed the line for their first and only try of the match from No 8 Lotu Inisi and conversion from Christian Lealiifano, ending the match with a 61-7 score line to the Chiefs.

The great Sir Bryan Williams after the match encouraging the team for the upcoming campaign addressing the mountain they must climb if they want to put a mark on the 2022 season stating “That these set-backs are character building” telling the team to go home and reflect on areas they can better.

Not the start that the boys of Moana were hoping for but with any first outing the first match is always the toughest.

Moana will now take on the Blues in Dunedin next week and are quietly confident of their chances all the while keen to learn from some of the best that the sport has to offer.

Chiefs-61 (Tries to Leni Apisai, Laghlan McWhannell, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Jonah Lowe (2), Bradley Slater, Josh Ioane, Emoni Narawa and Chase Tiatia; 2 conversions to Bryn Gatland, 6 conversions to Josh Ioane)

Moana Pasifika-7 (Try to Lotu Inisi; conversion to Christian Lealiifano)