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Watch: ‘Miracle’ try as Moana Pasifika make history in Samoa

(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Moana Pasifika may have lost the battle against the Queensland Reds at Apia Park on Friday, but they won the war in front of their vibrant home crowd.

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Playing in an historic Super Rugby Pacific fixture at Apia Park, Moana Pasifika were beaten 40-28 by the Queensland Reds– but you couldn’t wipe the smile off the faces of the fans in attendance.

The significance of the contest meant so much more to the home fans than the result. So again, they lost the battle but won the war.

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This clash was a momentous occasion for rugby in the Pacific Islands. For the first time ever, Moana Pasifika played a home game at Samoa’s Apia Park.

After a tense opening 10 minutes, which saw both teams make plenty of errors – but they made up for it with their physicality in defence – the Queensland Reds broke the deadlock.

Reds and Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight crossed for a five-pointer 10 minutes into the contest after some brilliance from halfback Tate McDermott and winger Suliasi Vunivalu.

But the best was yet to come.

Moana Pasifika responded in a big way a few minutes later, and the home crowd couldn’t have been any happier.

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From inside their own 22, flanker Miracle Fai’ilagi made a stunning 30 metre burst down the right edge, before passing the ball to playmaker Lincoln McClutchie.

McClutchie managed to draw in Reds duo Jock Campbell and Lawson Creighton, before returning serve with an offload to the man who started the miracle try.

The crowd went berserk as hometown hero Miracle Fai’ilagi ran in untouched for the first Moana Pasifika try in Apia.

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“Miracle is going to score!” commentator Tony Johnson said on the broadcast.

“The hometown hero, Miracle Fai’ilagi, scores the try.”

Fai’ilagi played both his junior and senior rugby in Samoa, before getting an opportunity to make his mark at Super Rugby level with Moana Pasifika.

Back playing in the Islands against the Reds, the loose forward etched his name into Moana Pasifika history with a try that will be replayed by rugby fans for years to come.

From there, Moana Pasifika engaged in a tight tussle with the Reds – both teams refusing to sacrifice an inch in the pursuit of a much-needed victory.

Reds hooker Matt Faessler scored his first try of the match midway through the half, but the hosts struck back shortly after through star midfielder Danny Toala.

Two quick tries from Harry Wilson and Suliasi Vunivalu saw the Reds take a commanding 14-28 lead into the sheds at half-time, and they added 12 unanswered points to their score after the break.

Moana Pasifika unleashed a flurry of tries to end the contest though, with Fai’ilagi scoring his second of the night in the 64th minute.

But in the end, the clock was Moana Pasifika’s worst enemy – and the same can be said for the Reds.

The hosts fell agonisingly short of a losing bonus point, while an 80th minute Luteru Tolai try prevented the Reds from securing all five points in Samoa.

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Crusaders prepare for 'dangerous in all elements' Chiefs game-breaker

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claire forlani 1 hour ago
Crusaders prepare for 'dangerous in all elements' Chiefs game-breaker

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JW 1 hour ago
Where is the new breed of All Black 10?

These kids have been playing in leagues comparable to SR, not the NPC

The likes of games these guys get introduced to are closer to NPC than SR.


This is the team Sam played with in his first Leinster game;

Ed BYRNE

Tadgh MCELROY

Tom CLARKSON

Alex SOROKA

Brian DEENY

James CULHANE

Will CONNORSE

Max DEEGAN

Nick MCCARTHY

Sam PRENDERGAST

Dave KEARNEY

Ben BROWNLEE

Liam TURNER

Tommy O'BRIEN

Chris COSGRAVE

It’s too short, not as competitive and there are (usually) no test players in that comp.

You’re talking about something else altogether, sure, I’m not saying people around the world want to watch the NPC, but locally its just the same with a large amount of internationals playing, even All Blacks.

The evidence the NPC is not on par is in the U20 WC. SH sides haven’t won it since 2017

You obviously have had very little exposure to New Zealand rugby. The NPC is made up all the Super Rugby players, plus the club battlers trying to get a gig. Far above u20 rugby level.

Guys like Attisogbe, Gazzotti and Louis BB were in those sides. They were Top14 regulars at the time and are test players now.

What you need to understand is that NZ rugby is not like France, basically the complete opposite. AB jerseys are not just handed out like that and there is very little room for u20 as every player in these squads is battling for an AB jersey basically. Super Rugby only has 5 teams, not 14. Sure, you can argue more exposure is better, but season length is not going to do that, you just have to get onboard with how NZ does it. They are the best after all.

NZ used to chuck talented youngsters in at the deep end in SR. Carter, McCaw and quite a few others from the 2011 and 2015 WC winning teams were in SR at 20, 21 and ABs a year later.

You are definitely star struck. I like it, reminds me of playing Championship Manager. It’s no different now, heard of Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Noah Hotham? NZ was one of the youngest squads going around and a good number of 20/21 yo’s coming into SR each year.


You don’t want players under pressure at that age, hence what teams do in those comps I mentioned. NZ definitely takes that to a different level for 17/18 yo, and even younger, but when you hear what happens to them when you don’t, I think that’s the right path.

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New Munster head coach all but confirmed

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