Moana Pasifika Ready For Queensland Reds
Moana Pasifika
Photo: Government Of Samoa
Moana Pasifika has paved the way for even greater chances for aspiring Pasifika players, who have a long and proud history of producing some of the most brilliant rugby players in the world. With this first-ever match played on Samoan soil, Moana Pasifika will finally realize its goal of taking the competition to the home nations. With 14 Manu Samoa representatives currently on the team, Moana Pasifika's return to Samoa will be an exceptional and historic event for the team as well as the nation.
In what is sure to be a game for the ages, Moana Pasifika will take on the Queensland Reds at Apia Field on Friday, April 14, in what will be their historic maiden home game in Samoa.
Due to the talent displayed by both sides this season, both teams will be desperate to win this Super Rugby Pacific matchup in Round Eight.
In their matchup with a well-prepared Crusaders team last week, Moana Pasifika took a 21-17 advantage into the break.
Although the hard-fought, back-and-forth game that took place at Orangetheory Stadium, the Crusaders recovered in the second half, and the final score of 38-21 didn't accurately reflect it.
With their game against the defending champions, Moana Pasifika can enter their match against the Reds with a lot of
confidence.
When key players on the team that would play the Reds were injured, head coach Aaron Mauger was obliged to make a number of tactical adjustments.
Samiuela Moli and Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Manono, Vaimoso, Mo'otutua) will be in the front row when Isi Tu'ungafasi makes his Moana Pasifika debut.
With Michael Curry, Mike McKee forms the locking pair in the second row, taking Samuel Slade's place who is injured.
In front of their loved ones and
friends this Friday, Lindenmuth and Curry, who both grew up in Samoa, will be more driven to strengthen the tight five.
The season's most important acquisition for Moana Pasifika is blindside Miracle Faiilagi, who will undoubtedly be the audience favorite in front of the
home crowd.
Faiilagi, a native of Vailele, played for both his village club and the Lauli'i Lions before signing on with Moana Pasifika in December of last year.
Solomone Funaki, the captain of Moana Pasifika who has led the team steadily all season, will join Faiilagi in the loose forwards, while Niko Jones (Moata'a, Safune, Leone), making his 2023 debut, rounds out the loose trio.
Alamanda Motuga, who was injured, was replaced by Jones, who has been in outstanding form ever since being inserted into the starting lineup.
For the third consecutive week, the Moana Pasifika backline has remained the same and has improved each week.
This week, head coach Aaron
Mauger has placed a lot of emphasis on the value of the "navigators," emphasizing that "we're going to have to be really smart with how we manage the
game, playing in the right parts of the field" and that the combination of the 9, 10, 12 and 15 will be essential for guiding the team in Samoa's conditions.
Following one of his best performances while wearing a Moana Pasifika shirt, halfback Ereatara Enari (Nofoali'i, Vaiala) teams up once more with first-five Lincoln McClutchie.
Together with fullback William Havili, who is fresh off a career-defining effort against the Crusaders last week, inside centers Danny Toala (Faleasi'u, Lotofaga) and Neria Foma'i (Lepuia'i Manono Tai, Magiagi)
continue to be tenacious in their respective 11 and 12 jerseys.
Probably no partnership is stronger than that of Timoci Tavatavanawai and Levi Aumua (Afega, Safa'atoa Lefaga).
These two have been crucial to everything Moana Pasifika has been able to do, combining for 3 tries, 1 try assist, and an astounding 11 defenders defeated against the Crusaders last week. They will attempt to maintain their destructive form in Samoa this week.