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'We're in right behind them': Moana Pasifika voice support for Fijian Drua
By Alex McLeod
Moana Pasifika head coach Aaron Mauger says his side are in full support of the Fijian Drua as they go in search of their second Super Rugby Pacific win this weekend.
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Moana Pasifika and the Drua are the two expansion franchises that joined the new-look edition of Super Rugby this year, with both teams providing the competition with its first representation of the Pacific Islands.
With the Drua unable to play at their home base of Suva in their debut season due to Covid restrictions, the Mick Byrne-based side have set up shop in Australia, where they have been playing the five Australian franchises to open their campaign.
They have done so with a degree of success, picking up their first win in the competition against the Melbourne Rebels a fortnight ago before almost salvaging a dramatic comeback win over the Reds in Brisbane last week.
Those results leave the Drua in good stead ahead of their clash with the Western Force in Sydney on Saturday, and are in stark contrast to how Moana Pasifika have fared thus far.
Both of Moana Pasifika’s first two matches of the campaign were postponed due to a Covid outbreak within their squad, while further outbreaks in opposition squads have forced the postponement of their two most recent fixtures as well.
As such, Mauger’s side have played only one match this season, falling to a 33-12 defeat at the hands of the Crusaders in a match where they impressed with their competitiveness after being tipped by many to suffer a heavy loss.
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That result bodes well for their chances against the Chiefs at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on Saturday, the second of eight straight matches Moana Pasifika will play against New Zealand teams to open their inaugural season.
Moana Pasifika’s run of fixtures against Kiwi sides mirrors that of the Drua’s against Australian opposition, and until they face each other in Sydney on May 14, Mauger said his side are staunch supporters of their fellow Pacific Island newcomers on the opposite side of the Tasman.
“I think with them being in a different conference, it’s hard to really compare in different conditions, and their journey’s been a little bit different to ours, obviously through the first four weeks of the competition, but from a supporter perspective, we’re in right behind them,” Mauger told media on Friday.
“[They’re] obviously part of our beautiful moana, the Pacific, so the boys have been right in behind them and connecting with quite a few of their players.
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“The staffs know each other, the coaching groups have been really impressed and really enjoyed watching them get their first win last week, so wish them all the best for the rest of the comp and look forward to playing them later on in the year.”
That sentiment was echoed by Moana Pasifika midfielder Levi Aumua, who is of Samoan and Fijian heritage and is excited by the prospect of the two Pacific Island franchises squaring off in just under two months’ time.
“Just from watching them, they definitely play some really fast footy and some razzle in there too, so think it’ll be a good clash of these two teams in Super Rugby Pacific,” he said.
Aumua also expressed his eagerness to play at Mt Smart Stadium for the first time this season after leaving Moana Pasifika’s temporary Queenstown base for the first time in more than a month earlier this week.
With Moana Pasifika set to be based at Mt Smart Stadium – rather than Samoa or Tonga – until at least 2028, the match will be historic in the sense that it will be the franchise’s first real home game.
The occasion will go ahead without fans under New Zealand’s current red light Covid setting, but Aumua remained upbeat about the chance to play Moana Pasifika’s first regular season match at their home ground.
“Obviously just being fresh back to Auckland, already the boys’ energy levels are through the roof, and to play back at our home ground is super special. Just a bit unfortunate that we can’t have our supporters there.”
