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‘Need to focus’: Rebels ready for ‘massive’ clash with Moana

(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Melbourne can’t afford to fail against Moana Pasifika in Auckland if they want to play Super Rugby Pacific finals, with the high-flying Brumbies laying in wait.

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The Rebels take on last-placed Moana on Saturday at Mt Smart Stadium with the home side bolstered by the return of their captain, former Wallabies playmaker Christian Lealiifano.

The five-eighth, who hasn’t played since round five, has been rushed back into the starting line-up as Moana Pasifika hunt their first win of the season.

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“It’s great to have Christian back in the starting XV, as his experience and calmness under pressure are invaluable to our team,” said coach Aaron Mauger.

Melbourne themselves only have two wins from eight games but are only three points outside the finals-bound top eight.

Rebels No.8, Auckland-born Vaiolini Ekuasi, said his team was aware of the importance of a win against Moana.

They next host a huge task against the Brumbies who are Australia’s best-performing team.

“This game and the Brumbies at home will be massive,” Ekuasi said.

“We need to focus on this task and be present and knock over Moana and then get home and start preparing for a strong Brumbies side that we can hopefully knock over too leading into finals.”

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Ekuasi, who has a number of former teammates in the Moana squad from his days playing NPC with Auckland, expected fierce physicality from their opponents.

He hoped the Rebels’ fitness could see them home.

“I’m expecting physicality, big bodies – the message this week is try and make them work twice as hard off the ground, keeping them in rucks longer, hopefully drag them out and our fitness will hopefully show and we can get the result,” said the 21-year-old, who recently extended his contract with Melbourne.

Rebels coach Kevin Foote has made four changes to his squad which were toppled in a second-half surge by the Crusaders last round.

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Auckland-born David Feliuai has replaced Stacey Ili after the inside centre suffered concussion last round.

Angelo Smith has replaced lock Josh Canham in the starting line-up while UK premiership lock Tim Cardall is in line for his Super debut after being named on the bench.

Prop Cabous Eloff has replaced Cameron Orr on the bench while bustling backrower Tamati Ioane could make his first appearance of the year after also been included in the reserves.

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AM 40 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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