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Moana Pasifika will face the might of the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow. Head Coach Aaron Mauger and the selection team have named a 23 man team that will don the Moana jersey on the Super Rugby Pacific field for the first time ever.
Their journey has hit a few bumps along the way with the postponement of their original first two matches with the Chiefs and Blues, due to the team being in isolation due to COVID-19 cases among the travelling side to Queenstown.
Despite this, Mauger and his team believe they are well prepared.
“It has been 26 years, and after recent challenges, it’s good to finally be here,” says Mauger
“For many it will be their debut. It will be a very special occasion for them, their families and the wider Pacific community.
Super rugby champions the Crusaders will definitely be a challenge for Moana Pasifika, but Mauger is adamant this will be one of those challenges for him and the team.
“We have worked hard and prepared ourselves in a short time. To go up against the best side in the competition will be a good test to benchmark ourselves”
The team consists of a mix of experience and young guns, which include a total of 11 Super Rugby debutants.
Leading from the front is veteran and Captain Sekope Kepu. Kepu brings his vast experience to the table with a total of 141 appearances for the NSW Waratahs in Australia. Aiding alongside him in the front row are Ezekiel Lindermuth and Luteru Tolai. Both had stints with the Blues while Ezekiel played last season with the Chiefs.
In the back row, four rookies will be looking to make a name for themselves this Friday. Locking partners Mike McKee and Manu Samoa international Sam Slade form the lock pair.
Both the openside and blindside flanker positions will also be fielded by Alamanda Motuga of Manu Samoa and Solomone Funaki of the Ikale Tahi making their first appearances as Super Rugby players.
Henry Time Stowers completes the forward pack starting at No 8. Stowers has been involved in the Super Rugby competition before with his former clubs Western Force and Brumbies in Australia.
The backline has a bit more Super Rugby experience fielding only three debutants. One of those rookies is the talented first five Lincoln McClutchie who will wear the number 10 jersey. Coming off an amazing ITM season for Hawkes Bay.
McClucthie will pair up with fellow Hawkes Bay halfback Ereatara Enari, also a former Crusaders halfback. The midfield sees former Hurricanes Danny Toala and Levi Aumua, who has had seasons with former clubs Blues and the Chiefs.
The other two rookies in the backline are William Havili and current Manu Samoa winger Neria Foma’i. Havili who is the brother of All Black and Crusaders David Havili will be playing fullback. Ex Crusaders and Highlanders winger Tima Fainga’anuku completes the outside back.
A further four Super Rugby rookies are included in the bench in the form of Sam Moli, Fine Inisi, Tau Koloamatagi and Alex McRobbie.
Alongside them includes former Wallabies and Brumbies flyhalf Christian Lealiifano, Manu Samoa and ex Hurricanes flanker Jack Lam, former Chiefs prop Joe Apikotoa and Manu Samoa and ex Hurricanes halfback Jonathan Taumateine.
The team are fully aware of what they are up against playing the Crusaders, however, Ereatara Enari is positive that Moana Pasifika are all set in stone to combat the powerful Crusaders.
“A lot of us are so excited to play one of the best teams in New Zealand and probably the world”
“It is a huge opportunity for us to debut not only in Super Rugby but also against a strong squad”
