“It’s around our mindset about staying on the whole time. We have great passages but then we give it away” – Faalogo Tana Umaga
After a dream start to the season with a powerful win against Fijian Drua in round one, Moana Pasifika has slumped to their third straight loss, falling to a strong Chiefs side on the weekend.
The 57-24 Chiefs win in Hamilton a strong statement from them, after coming off a loss the previous weekend to the Crusaders.
In their post match conference, Moana head coach Faalogo Tana Umaga did not shy away from criticising his team’s performance.
“It’s around our mindset about staying on the whole time. We have great passages but then we give it away,” Faalogo says.
“We’ve also had some injuries to crucial people at important times. We don’t want it as an excuse, but it’s just that continuity is a bit tough when you chop and change because of injuries.”
After an impressive season last year under the leadership of All Black Ardie Savea, there’s no question his absence has played a role in the team’s inability to play strongly and consistently throughout the 80 minutes.
It’s a role that now new captain and loose forward Miracle Faiilagi is taking with both hands as he steps up to lead the side through the season. And the bruising number six is not just missing Savea’s leadership, but also his workrate in the loose.
Working alongside Savea last year in their loose forward roles, Faiilagi says, that to emulate Savea’s presence, the work must not be done by just one player alone.
“We spoke about it in our camp earlier this year. Not one person can fill the hole that Ardie left within this team. It’s everyone’s job. That’s the mindset we want to have,” Faiilagi says
With an 8 day turnaround as they prepare for their next match against the Blues, both Faalogo and Faiilagi are hoping to bounce back strongly in the all Auckland clash.
And just for the record, the Blues bounced back with an emphatic 29-13 win against the Crusaders at Eden Park on the weekend giving them a 2-2 win-loss record for the season so far.
