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Moana Pasifika make nine changes to starting team for Hurricanes rematch

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Moana Pasifika have made nine changes to their starting team as they eye back-to-back Super Rugby Pacific victories over the Hurricanes in Wellington on Tuesday.

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The new expansion franchise will return to action just four days after their 37-17 defeat to the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday as they make up for lost ground following the rescheduling of this fixture due to Covid outbreaks earlier in the season.

With such a tight turnaround, head coach Aaron Mauger has made numerous alterations to his last-placed side as he utilises the full depth of his playing squad.

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As such, nine new players will line up for Moana Pasifika in the Kiwi capital, with former Wallabies playmaker Christian Leali’ifano named to captain the side for the first time with regular skipper Sekope Kepu unavailable through injury.

Leali’ifano, one of six players retained in the starting team from the weekend’s loss, will be accompanied by two new vice-captains in the form of Manu Samoa duo Alamanda Motuga and Jonathan Taumateine, who replaces Ereatara Enari at halfback.

The mid-week clash will be a homecoming of sorts for Taumateine, who was part of the Hurricanes set-up for two seasons before joining Moana Pasifika this year.

Together, he and Leali’ifano will direct a backline that features an unchanged midfield combination of Danny Toala, another ex-Hurricane who scored Moana Pasifika’s decisive try in their extra-time win against his old team last month, and Levi Aumua.

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Tima Fainga’anuku has also kept his place on the right wing, but will form one third of a new outside back trio that includes former Hurricanes and Blues speedster Lolagi Visinia and Manu Samoa flyer Neria Foma’i.

Up front, Joe ‘Apikotoa acts as Kepu’s replacement at tighthead prop, while Tongan international Sam Moli replaces the injured Luteru Tolai at hooker.

The front row is rounded out by loosehead prop Abraham Pole, who takes the place of the benched Ezekiel Lindenmuth.

Manu Samoa lock Sam Slade remains in the second row, where he is partnered up with Mahonri Ngakuru, while Motuga is joined in the loose forwards by blindside flanker Alex McRobbie and Manu Samoa No 8 Henry Time-Stowers.

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Lindenmuth is one of seven new faces in the reserves, with young first-five Lincoln McClutchie the only players who has kept his place on the bench from the Highlanders match.

Manu Samoa duo Ray Niuia and Henry Taefu, as well as Hong Kong prop Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi, are all included on the pine, as is lock Michael Curry, loose forward Penitoa Finau and halfback Manu Paea.

In addition to Kepu and Tolai, various other players – ‘Ikale Tahi internationals Don Lolo and Lotu Inisi, prop Isi Tu’ungafasi, Manu Samoa loose forward Jack Lam and lock Mike McKee – were all unavailable for selection because of injury.

Kick-off for Tuesday’s match is scheduled for 7:05pm NZT.

Moana Pasifika team to play Hurricanes

1. Abraham Pole
2. Sam Moli
3. Joe ‘Apikotoa
4. Mahonri Ngakuru
5. Sam Slade
6. Alex McRobbie
7. Alamanda Motuga (vc)
8. Henry Time-Stowers
9. Jonathan Taumateine (vc)
10. Christian Leali’ifano (c)
11. Neria Foma’i
12. Danny Toala
13. Levi Aumua
14. Tima Fainga’anuku
15. Lolagi Visinia

Reserves

16. Ray Niuia
17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth
18. Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi
19. Michael Curry
20. Penitoa Finau
21. Manu Paea
22. Lincoln McClutchie
23. Henry Taefu

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AM 38 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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