Photo credit: Highlanders Facebook
After back to back losses in Australia, Moana Pasifika are back in Auckland for their first home game for the year.
The team will face the Highlanders at North Harbour Stadium on Friday. The Highlanders are coming off a big win over reigning champions, the Blues, last week in Dunedin.
Former Moana Pasifika player Timoci Tavatavanawai, now a co-captain for the Highlanders, has been a standout since making the switch last year.
Their win over the Blues last week was a testament to Timoci’s impact, showcasing his powerful ball carries and defensive strength.
One player who understands Timoci’s on field talents is close friend and former teammate William Havili. Having spent two seasons with Timoci at Moana Pasifika, Havili says that the attention on Timoci comes as no surprise to him.
“I’ve known him for quite a while now since he first moved to New Zealand actually. He’s been going good these last two years at the Highlanders, and I think he’s in probably the best shape he has ever been in,” Havili said.
Tavatavanawai and William Havili celebrating a Moana Pasifika try. Photo credit: Instagram
Friday’s clash might be a reunion for Timoci and his former teammates from Moana Pasifika, but Havili admits that they are prepared to counter his influence on the game.
“We’ve looked at him and we’ve studied him and we know where he is strong,” Havili said.
“I feel like the Highlanders build off sort of the plays he does, so if we can negate what he does then it’s going to go a long way for us to get a win.”
Newly signed Moana player Jackson Garden-Bachop also shares a personal connection with the Highlanders. His father Stephen, and late brother, Conor Garden-Bachop both had donned the Highlanders jersey in the past.
Before their match last week, the Highlanders held a special memorial service for the Bachop family to honour Connor’s passing last year.
Connor and Jackson Garden-Bachop Photo credit: Instagram
“That was beautiful,” Jackson said of the Highlanders tribute to his brother.
“Just the love that the Highlanders showed inviting my family to the shed afterwards and with both teams presenting jerseys to my family, it’s really special and something we will cherish for a very long time.”
Looking ahead to Friday’s clash, however, Jackson says he is ready to put aside any special treatment for the Highlanders and will focus on securing a win.
“There is always emotion for me around my brother and it will be special knowing I will be playing against his old team,” he said.
“There’s no love on the field, but I give them the respect in the lead-up. But when we get out there we’re going to compete and we’re going for a win.”
Moana and the Highlanders will battle it out at North Harbour Stadium Friday Night at 7:05pm.
