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Hurricanes blow away Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby

: Tima Fainga'anuku of Moana Pasifika is tackled by Josh Moorby of the Hurricanes during the round five Super Rugby Pacific match between Moana Pasifika and Hurricanes at Mt Smart Stadium, on March 25, 2023, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Moana Pasifika’s torrid start to this season’s Super Rugby Pacific goes on thanks to a 59-0 hammering by the title-chasing Hurricanes in Auckland.

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Revenge was in the air for the Hurricanes, who this time last year lost to a golden-point try from Danny Toala as Moana Pasifika recorded their first-ever victory in the competition.

There never looked likely to be a repeat at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday.

The win moved the Hurricanes – whose only defeat in five games this season has come at the hands of fellow New Zealanders the Blues – up to second in the ladder, four points behind the unbeaten Chiefs.

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They also boast a league-leading points difference of plus-110.

Things are not looking so bright for Moana Pasifika, who suffered a fifth straight loss and have now conceded 121 points in their last two matches.

At least they got on the board in last weekend’s 62-36 defeat at the ACT Brumbies. On Saturday they had no such luck, blowing what chances they did create.

Winger Tima Fainga’anuku went closest to scoring for the hosts, but a foot in touch ruled out his effort.

A game-ending first-minute injury to No.8 Lotu Inisi set the tone, and Moana Pasifika never recovered as Joshua Moorsby, Brett Cameron and Cam Roigard crossed to give the Hurricanes a 19-0 lead at halftime.

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The second period continued in much the same vein, with Moana Pasifika unable to capitalise on opportunities, and the Hurricanes ruthless in their execution.

Winger Kini Naholo extended their lead after 55 minutes, before his counterpart on the other flank, Salesi Rayasi, scored the first of his second-half double 120 seconds later.

Rayasi grabbed his second of the game on 66 minutes, and moments later skipper Ardie Savea scored under the posts as the Hurricanes threatened to blow their opponents away.

Hame Faiva and Peter Lakai added furt her tries to complete the rout, with Moana Pasifika h eading back to the drawing board before next Friday’s clash with the Highlanders.

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The Hurricanes welcome the Western Force to Palmerston North next Sunday.

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J
JW 2 hours ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

(sharing duties with one of our best ever in BB puts him firmly on that pedestal).

First, in reply to your other post, Richie was only a 2 year AB when he signed after the 19’ WC, so he would be on nothing like what BB is. Instead of re-signing in 22’ for longer with NZR, he simply extended that deal that was likely a standard 300k AB retainer, getting little extra in place for the freedom of going to the market for 24’ onwards.


All that link was for was to show that he would have been in talks while ‘sharing’ 10 duties, as apposed to where is commonly though, like in Spew’s arguments, both after he claimed the starting jersey at Cape Town, and when it was obvious Razor was going to be the next coach. The thing I think you’re missing their is that BB wasn’t sharing, if he wasn’t the 10, he was the 15, so 100% as apposed to Richies 50%, ie correlating to a 2 to 1 valuation in their (Richies) contract value as well.


So I can definitely understand why Richie made the call early to seek a big offer from Japan, and who really knows, maybe his performances in August, even against Japan in October were in time to still be able to bump up his value? But you never hear about these signings as theyre done, announcements are scheduled months later more than not (so a December announcement wouldn’t have left much negotiating time).


So a four year (detractors like HHT will round up to 5) AB at the time does not get offered a sabbatical IMO, especially when they were in the process of negotiating one for Barrett (BB ended up signing in Japan with options for longer right, but NZ came to him with a deal to come back, calling it a sabbatical?). All in all and as always, your outlook is tempered and reasonable Chief, I was just sharing my picture for those that try to ‘blame’ either party.

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