Moana Pasefika’s inaugural Super Rugby Pacific appearance is but a day away.

The new kids on the block in the Super Rugby event will finally be able to play their first ever official match for the Super Rugby Pacific 2022 competition. This comes after the highly awaited pacific island mash-up team, made up of Samoan and Tongan athletes, missed out on their first two matches due to COVID-19 making its way in the camp, resulting in isolation protocols being undertaken.

The Moana boys will face off against the might of the best team in Super Rugby history, the Crusaders, who have already looked lethal in their first two matches, which will be a big test for the team’s first appearance.

Coach Aaron Mauger said in an interview with Otago Daily Times, “excitement was the predominant feeling in the squad, though, players had prepared well and were ready to go”, “It’s just around encouraging our younger guys first time up to back themselves. They’re here because we believe in them, and they’re here because we trust them. That just builds the more time we have together out on the grass”

This comes as 11 debutantes at this level are a part of the team who will be running out for their first official test.

The team has only had one match at this level and it was against the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific preseason matches where they took a hefty loss with 63-7 points on the score board.

The Crusaders have set the standard for the past 5 years, but Mauger is excited about the challenge that the Crusaders will bring at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium. Stating  on The COCONET.tv “We have worked hard and prepared well in a short amount of time. To go up against the best side in the Super Rugby Pacific competition will be a good test to benchmark ourselves."

The Moana Pasefika has officially named their squad to challenge Crusaders tomorrow night.

 Full squad named below -

1.       Ezekiel Lindenmuth

2.       1Luteru Tolai

3.       Sekope Kepu

4.       Mike McKee (Super Rugby Debut)

5.       Samuel Slade (Super Rugby Debut)

6.       Solomone Funaki (Super Rugby Debut)

7.       Alamanda Motuga (Super Rugby Debut)

8.       Henry Time-Stowers

9.       Ereatara Enari

10.   Lincoln McClutchie (Super Rugby Debut)

11.   Neria Fomai (Super Rugby Debut)

12.   Danny Toala

13.   Levi Aumua

14.   Tima Fainga’anuku

15.   William Havili (Super Rugby Debut)

16.   Samiuela Moli (Super Rugby Debut)

17.   Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi (Super Rugby Debut)

18.   Joe Apikotoa

19.   Alex McRobbie (Super Rugby Debut)

20.   Jack Lam

21.   Jonathan Taumateine

22.   Christian Leali’ifano

23.   Fine Inisi (Super Rugby Debut)

 The team is ready and rearing to go, and will officially run out for their historical first ever outing Friday evening, with head coach Aaron Mauger, excited about what this means to pacific island rugby, “This has been 26 years in the making and after recent challenges, it’s good to finally be here”. (the COCONET.tv)