Lotu Inisi back for Moana Pasifika's must-win Canes clash

Star of Moana Pasifika’s 2024 campaign, Lotu Inisi, can make his season debut this weekend as Moana Pasifika fight for the chance to reach their first-ever Super Rugby playoffs.

The damaging No. 8 has been named on the bench, offering reserve impact to a trio that has established itself as one of, if not the premier loose forward units in the competition.

Also named on the bench is former Hurricanes playmaker Jackson Garden-Bachop, who was looking forward to a must-win game in his hometown.

“It’s exciting, Wellington is a place that I love, that’s my home,” Garden-Bachop said. “I’ve got a lot of friends in that team, so I’m excited to get down there and put on a good challenge for them.

“There’s a big Pasifika community in Wellington, so hopefully they turn out and make some noise for us.

“[The Hurricanes] play a really expansive game. Their defence has been really strong and they’ve got some real weapons at the breakdown that will try put us under pressure, so we’ve got to be on.”

Matching that expansive game of the Hurricanes is a Moana Pasifika backline with plenty of firepower, fed by a starting halves duo of Jonathan Taumateine and Patrick Pellegrini. Julian Savea and Lalomilo Lalomilo make up the midfield, and there’s athleticism galore in the back three of Solomon Alaimalo, Tevita Ofa and Kyren Taumoefolau.

Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi and Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou? will pack down in the front row, backed up by Allan Craig and Samuel Slade in the second row.

Moana Pasifika team to play the Hurricanes

1. Tito Tuipulotu
2. Millennium Sanerivi
3. Feleti Sae -Ta’ufo’ou
4. Tom Savage
5. Samuel Slade
6. Miracle Faiilagi
7. Ardie Savea?(c)
8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa
9. Jonathan Taumateine
10. Patrick Pellegrini
11. Solomon Alaimalo
12. Julian Savea
13. Lalomilo Lalomilo
14. Kyren Taumoefolau
15. Tevita Ofa

Impact

16. Samiuela Moli
17. Abraham Pole
18. Chris Apoua
19. Allan Craig
20. Lotu Inisi
21. Melani Matavao
22. Jackson Garden-Bachop
23. Pepesana Patafilo