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Moana Pasifika stun Brumbies with season-closing win on eve of Super Rugby Pacific finals

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Moana Pasifika have produced one of the upsets of the Super Rugby Pacific season, stunning the Brumbies to close their debut campaign out with a victory.

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Paying long odds to beat one of the title frontrunners at Mt Smart Stadium, the bottom-of-the-table Moana Pasifika overcame an early red card to captain Sekope Kepu – playing in his 150th Super Rugby match – to topple the Brumbies 32-22 in Auckland on Saturday.

The Brumbies didn’t help themselves on the discipline front, conceding two yellow cards within minutes of each other to play with 13 men for a lengthy period, but Moana Pasifika’s fortitude and commitment to the cause was enough to get them over the line.

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 15

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Led by former Brumbies pair Christian Lealiifano and Solomone Kata, Moana Pasifika’s win denies the Brumbies a third-place finish, meaning they will likely have to play away from home if they qualify for the semi-finals.

By contrast, Moana Pasifika will bask in the glory of notching their second-ever win, their first since they shocked the Hurricanes with an extra-time victory in March.

Moana Pasifika 32 (Tries to William Havili, Joe ‘Apikotoa, Lotu Inisi and penalty try; 2 conversions and 2 penalties to Christian Lealiifano)

Brumbies 22 (Tries to Connal McInerney, Lachlan Longergan and Pete Samu; 2 conversions and drop goal to Noah Lolesio)

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– MORE TO COME

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