Moana Pasifika vs Chiefs: No Bradbury moment, SVNS star for All Blacks

Moana Pasifika appeared down and out 40 minutes into their clash with the Chiefs in Pukekohe on Friday night. With the Chiefs leading 43-7 at the break, the match was all but over – it seemed like a matter of how much the ladder leaders would win by.

But Moana didn’t throw in the towel.

The underdogs mounted a 28-point unanswered blitz throughout most of the second term, and while they fell short of the win, Moana’s efforts against the heavily favoured Chiefs should be celebrated and recognised as another step forward.

Here are five takeaways.

No Bradbury moment for Moana but the fight was there

What Steven Bradbury achieved at the 2002 Winter Olympics will never be forgotten.

It’s the ultimate story of an underdog battling resilience, impossible odds and a slow start to claim Olympic gold for Australia. If you don’t know who Bradbury is or maybe you need a reminder, go on YouTube or TikTok and a find a replay of that speed skating final.

Unfortunately for Moana, they didn’t quite have their Bradbury moment. Taking on the ladder leaders without their skipper, the Pasifika side were overwhelmed during a 43-7 first-half demolition that was controlled by the heavily favoured Chiefs.

But the second term, well, that was Bradbury-esque.

William Havili said it “wasn’t good enough” after the match, but the fullback was visibly happy – although very tired and fatigued as well – with the fightback. It started with loosehead prop Abraham Pole crashing over in the 42^nd minute.

Sama Malolo, Tuna Tuitama and Pole also crossed for a try each as Moana, incredibly, gave themselves a chance by reducing the deficit to just eight points with five to play. They didn’t give up until the full-time whistle.

The Chiefs didn’t score any points until Samisoni Taukei’aho crossed with two to play.

Unlike Bradbury, there’s no gold medal or sense of victory to show Moana’s efforts right up until the very end. It’s good signs of character from Tana Umaga’s side who will be a lot better for this match, despite what the first half may have initially indicated.

Ardie Savea is for Moana what Nathan Cleary is for the Panthers

Without Nathan Cleary, the Penrith Panthers wouldn’t have won the last four NRL Grand Finals. When the going gets tough, the Panthers just wouldn’t be the same team without one of their inspirational captains and star player.

The sentiment of that point can be applied to sports teams around the world.

Patrick Mahomes is a three-time Super Bowl winner because of the X-factor and leadership the quarterback brings to the field – even with the support of Travis Kelce’s girlfriend Taylor Swift in the crowd, the Kansas City Chiefs wouldn’t be the same NFL force without Mahomes.

South Africa needed captain Siya Kolisi to win the Rugby World Cup, Inter Miami CF wouldn’t be the same force without Lionel Messi,  Los Angeles Dodgers wouldn’t be the same MLB beast without Shohei Ohtani, and Moana Pasifika aren’t the same side without Ardie Savea.

Savea was ruled out of this round six clash with a minor hamstring strain, and before a ball was kicked or the whistle blown, that absence in Moana’s starting XV would’ve had an impact for sure. Savea is the face of this team, after all.

The one-time World Rugby Player of the Year has arguably been the competition’s best player across the first five rounds. Savea scored against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane to end the home side’s 21-point blitz in round two – just one moment to speak of.

Savea also scored an unbelievable try against the Highlanders at North Harbour Stadium, while wearing the team’s heritage jersey – another moment to speak of.

While it was a game of two halves, Moana seemed to feel the hurt of Savea’s absence during a one-sided first half that ultimately cost the hosts in Pukekohe.

Ex-SVNS star continues to push case for All Blacks

Leroy Carter was one of the world’s best on the SVNS Series field.

With an All Blacks Sevens squad that boasted other Olympics and world-class athletes, Carter was regularly a standout for Tomasi Cama’s team. At the Grand Final event in Madrid last season, the team’s No. 12 was clearly a class above the rest in black jerseys.

That’s would made this off-season signing so fascinating for the Chiefs.

It was the All Blacks Sevens’ loss, but very much Super Rugby Pacific’s gain.

Carter shone for Bay of Plenty in New Zealand’s NPC towards the end of 2024, and the wing has maintained that solid standard in 15s at the next level up. The Paris Olympian scored on debut in the opening round and crossed for another a week later against the Crusaders.

After a couple relatively quiet performances, as Emoni Narawa stood tall for the Hamilton-based side, Carter was back among the try-scorers on Friday. Carter crossed for a five-pointer in the 30th minute, with the No. 11 showing agility, speed and strength in a fight for the line.

Earlier in the match, Carter had sent teammate Bradley Slater over for the opener in the ninth minute and was later pulled down just three meters shy of the try line in the 13^th. Aside from a knock-on at the breakdown midway through the half, it was a flawless first term from Carter.

With continuing to show signs of promise and game-breaking ability during the second term, it seems like that time of the week where fans and journalists alike begin to debate whether or not another winger is ready for the All Blacks.

Caleb Tangitau and Macca Springer were incredible in round five, but with Carter able to play scrum-half at a high level as well, that could be the difference and X-factor that separates Carter from the rest when the national squad is announced.

This match was lost up front

Rugby games are often said to be won up front.

It’s an adage that most rugby fans would’ve heard at least once.

But there are two sides to every coin.

If this is the rule we live by or deem to be true, then rugby games must also be lost up front.

For Moana Pasifika, that was the case on Friday night. Sure, the Chiefs’ star-studded backline wowed fans with their razzle-dazzle, but the dominance of the big men up front was a defining factor that was impossible to ignore.

Moana gave away two scrum penalties inside the first 12 minutes. That led former All Black Jeff Wilson to later say on commentary that the Pasifika side “certainly wouldn’t take a scrum” after being awarded a penalty inside the Chiefs’ 22.

They opted for a quick tap.

Bradey Slater scored the first try of the contest and came close to another midway through the first half. That’s one other stat to lean on but just generally speaking, even around the breakdown, it was a masterclass from the Chiefs’ men up front.

That’s where the match was won.

It’s also where the match was lost.

Damian McKenzie is still the All Blacks’ best No. 10 option

Damian McKenzie was named in World Rugby’s Dream Team in 2024.

That’s overlooked far too often, it seems.

Of course, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson still has a decision to make with Beauden Barret another leading candidate to wear the team’s No. 10 jumper. Then there are potential debutants like Josh Jacomb or Harry Godfrey who are left-field picks.

At this stage, after the Chiefs’ round six clash, it seems clear-cut that on current form, McKenzie is New Zealand’s best option at first five-eighth. McKenzie wowed fans with general playmaking, sound kicking, and a try during the first half.

It’s easy when the forwards are providing regular front-foot ball, but the All Black still stood out with some individual brilliance. With Barrett out injured, McKenzie has made another statement after impressing last time out against the Blues.