Highlanders Timoci Tavatavanawai tackles his opposite, Moana Pasifika's Fine Inise at North Harbour Stadium on Friday in a pre-season Super Rugby Pacific clash. The Highlangers won 26-21. Photo: Highlanders
The pre-season clash between Moana Pasifika and the Highlanders was always expected to be a tough one, and it lived up to the hype as Moana Pasifika hosted the game at their new home, the North Harbour Stadium.
While the Highlanders won the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific pre-season game 26-21 in the hot Albany heat on Friday, both camps agreed it was a much-needed to cut off the shake off the cob-webs, following almost two months of pre-season training.
Moana Pasifika head coach Fa'alongo Tana Umaga said at the post-match conference that coming away without any injury was important for them, as alot of players showed what they could offer the team in the new season.
"We will take the positives from it and the biggest thing that we are most fearful for is injuries and we have come away without any injuries," Umaga said.
"We were just looking at players putting their hands up and you would have seen a lot of players out there who haven't even heard off but they put their hands up today.
"It's good for us in terms of looking at our depths and it was good just getting a hit out. Our guys have been training a long time and it was good playing against another team today."
Umaga said they would learn from their mistakes and move on to the next pre-season game against the Chiefs this weekend, before they travel to Perth to play the Western Force on 15 February.
He said there was a big shift in the players' fitness and game understanding now compared to what they saw at the same time last year.
"Last year, being new to it and new to most of the players as well, there was a bit of anxiousness of the unknown" he said.
"We have a good coaching staff, a good management staff. I am happy with where we are at and we are progressing as well as we hope we would be."
Moana Pasifika prop James Lay at the North Harbour Stadium on Friday. Photo: Moana Pasifika Photo: Moana Pasifika
Tough prop James Lay is making a return to the field following a long lay-off because of injury sustained in 2024.
He had a top game and led the pack upfront when he took the field.
"It feels awesome being back and just trying to do my job," he said.
"Proud of the efforts put in during the off-season. We showed a lot of good moments, keeping the ball and playing smart."
He said All Black Ardie Savea, who is expected to be named club captain for 2025 on Monday, would be a game changer for the side, as they gun to finish in the top six in the new competition format.
"I know he is going to add value. He is a great man," Lay added.
Ardie Savea running as a water boy for Moana Pasifika on Friday. He is expected to be named club captain when the team announces their leadership team at their North Harbour Stadium home on Monday. Photo: Moana Pasifika
2024 captain Sione Havili Talatui also agreed with Lay, adding Savea's inclusion in the team is massive, with the hit out coming at an important part of their build up.
"For someone like him, who was the best player in the world, joining Moana is massive for everyone," he said.
"The group this year is better compared to last year. The boys are understanding the game more and the boys are turning up in good shape."
Savea turned up at the ground but did not play.
He acted as a water boy during the clash.
Moana Pasifika's Sione Haviliti Talitui on the side of the scrum against the Highlanders at the North Harbour Stadium on Friday. Photo: Moana Pasifika
Highlanders duo Timoci Tavatavanawai and Folau Fakatava, two of the Pasifika heritage players in the side, agreed it was a tough clash that the team also needed.
Tavatavanawai, who has been named Highlanders' co-captain this year, said they were able to dust off the cobwebs.
"Good to be out there with the boys and get the confidence back," he said.
He said it was a privilege to be co-captain of the side.
"It is an honour to lead this quality man. We have a lot of growth from today."
Fakatava, who will be aligible to play for Tonga in August this year following a stint with the All Blacks in 2022, said Tavatavanawai is a natural leader.
He added the new team under coach Jamie Joseph will grow.
"This year we are just excited with this new team."
Meanwhile, in other pre-season games the Queensland Reds thrashed Bristol Bears of England 82-21, the Brumbies and the Waratahs drew 36-all, the Blues beat the Crusaders 35-19 and the Chiefs pipped the Hurricanes 43-40.
