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Moana Pasifika face daunting Super Rugby debut

Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz

After two false starts Moana Pasifika at last will make their Super Rugby debut on Friday, facing a huge test against the 11-time champion Crusaders.

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Moana Pasifika’s first appearance in Super Rugby Pacific has been twice delayed.

Their opening-round match against the Blues was postponed because of a COVID outbreak among the tournament newcomers and their second-round match against the Chiefs was put back because the players’ release from isolation gave them too little time to prepare.

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The Aotearoa Rugby Pod previews the third round of Super Rugby Pacific.

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The Aotearoa Rugby Pod previews the third round of Super Rugby Pacific.

While fellow newcomers Fijian Drua have played twice in the Australian section of the tournament, the New Zealand section has so far lacked the Pacific flavour that Moana Pasifika is expected to provide.

After months of training and expectation, the young Moana Pasifika players, many of whom are new to Super Rugby, now get the chance to test themselves against the best team in the tournament. The Crusaders won Super Rugby Aotearoa last year and already unbeaten in two matches this season.

Head coach Aaron Mauger said his task as he prepares his team for its debut involved “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,” Mauger said. “That just builds the more time we have together out on the grass.

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“We’ve only had one game to get that but we’ve had a lot of trainings now and the intensity’s starting to build. We’re pretty confident with where we’re at. We know it’s going to be a challenge but we’re looking forward to it.”

The Crusaders have the challenge of facing a team they haven’t seen before and who have little measurable form to assess. On paper Moana Pasifika have a strong front five and backline players who can produce the flair and style they wish to promote.

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“I think you stick to your strengths and we know that Moana Pasifika strengths will be their power game,” Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson said.

“They’ve got players across the field that can rip you open. They’re probably looking to expressing themselves. They’ve got a lot to play for. We’ve got to respect them.”

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The Fijian Drua also play Friday, against Melbourne Rebels as they still seek their first Super Rugby win. Later, the Western Force play the Queensland Reds in Perth.

On Saturday, the Blues play the Chiefs, the Hurricanes play the Highlanders and the Brumbies host the NSW Waratahs.

– Steve McMorran

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J
JW 36 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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