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Moana Pasifika to dedicate pre-season clash against Chiefs to Tonga

(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Moana Pasifika will use its first pre-season clash of the year against the Chiefs to help raise funds for Tonga after the Pacific Island nation was rocked by a volcanic eruption and tsunami last weekend.

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The massive eruption of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai, and the ensuing tsunami it caused, resulted in devastation throughout Tonga, including at least three deaths and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.

Since then, various relief efforts have begun to help provide aid to victims, with Moana Pasifika jumping onboard by confirming on Friday that all proceeds from their clash against the Chiefs at Mt Smart Stadium on February 4 will be donated to Tonga.

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“For Moana Pasifika this game has special meaning, not only is it our first historic hit-out at our home base Mt Smart Stadium, but it will also be about supporting the Tongan community in these really difficult times,” Moana Pasifika Trust chairman Sir Michael Jones said.

“The Moana Pasifika family, the Chiefs whanau and the wider community will show their love and support for Tonga in the aftermath of the catastrophic events that have taken place since the weekend. At times like this, we are all Tongan.”

Moana Pasifika head coach Aaron Mauger added that his side, which features six Tongan internationals, wanted to show its “ofa (love)” in a meaningful way.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our families and friends in Tonga who are suffering some severe hardship right now,” Mauger said.

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“We wanted to show our ofa by supporting the relief efforts in a meaningful way. We will be dedicating our game to the people of Tonga.”

Moana Pasifika had the support of both Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan and Chiefs CEO Michael Collins, with Sky TV to broadcast the match on free-to-air television.

“We want to show our support for the people of Tonga and for their whanau and friends in Aotearoa New Zealand, and we’re delighted to be working with Moana Pasifika on this special broadcast,” Sky TV chief executive Sophie Maloney said.

“Sky is donating our production and staff services and broadcasting the match on Sky Sport and free to air on Prime.

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“We’re also working with the organisers to promote ways to support fundraising and other projects to help Tonga get back on its feet. Using ‘Sport for Good’ is one of our passions at Sky, and we’re pleased to get behind this special event.”

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RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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