Super Rugby Pacific: David Tua urges Moana Pasifika to play as a unit

Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes

Kickoff: 7.05pm, Saturday, 8 March

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

Live blog updates on RNZ Sport

Moana Pasifika are on the verge of recreating their own history this weekend.

Three close losses, two at least where they had conceded their lead in the last five minutes of the game and lost out in the end, have given the side confidence that they can match anyone.

Captain Ardie Savea told reporters after the two-point loss to the Highlanders last weekend the team needs to start winning matches.

It's a conversation players have had more than twice during the week at least, if what Savea and head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga have stated is an indication, as the side finalised their preparations.

Mental toughness is something they had both pinpointed, especially taking into account the seemingly glaring lapses that saw games slip away at the final whistle.

This week, former world rated heavyweight boxer, Faumuina To'aletai David Tua, was on hand to help psych the players.

Umaga said the message the tough boxer gave to players was simple - everyone needs to do their part - if the team is to do well.

"We had Faumuina David Tua in this week, just speaking to the players around that around, if I do my job, my brother next to me does his job, the guy on the other side does his job, and the guy at the back do their jobs, then, I can be happy with it," he said.

"I've got to be proud to be able to do that and do that job with great pride and with the attention to detail that it deserves. And that's something that we, in terms of our review the day before, that's what we talked about, the players talked about it, coaches talked about it.

"We're saying all the right things and for the players just realizing that don't try and overplay our hand, we enjoy what we do, but we've got to make sure that we're doing it for for us. And what's going to help us move forward. You know you deserve to be here, but to be there, you've just got to do your job."

Umaga said the ability to handle expectations, especially playing in front of their home crowd, is something the players will have to learn quickly.

The players, to some extent against the Highlanders, were probably guilty of over-trying, he said, because of the expectation to win their first game at home.

He said captain Ardie Savea, who will lead the side out against his former Hurricanes team - he had started his career with and played for until the end of 2024 - has been instrumental also in helping the players learn on the go.

Umaga said the All Blacks stalwart continues to inspire players to lift their standards with his own top performances.

"When you see a skipper doing everything he can to get your team a win, it's got to raise the level of those around him," Umaga said.

"He set a standard, but that's a standard we already knew he had.

"With Ardie, it doesn't just happen on the field. He doesn't just wait for it to happen on the field; he is preparing throughout the week, the way he's helping his young loose forwards prepare for the games and what it takes to get that kind of performance.

"I think that's probably something that we expected from him, and it's one of the reasons why we brought him in."

The Saturday clash against the Hurricanes is going to be special for a number of people in the Moana Pasifika set-up - Umaga, assistant Alando Soakai, Julian Savea and Ardie - who are all former players.

But he said they are focused on Moana Pasifika, and for Moana Pasifika, including their skipper.

He said "it's all about the team and how we can get better", with Savea leading that charge.

"He pushes his expectations on our players, telling them he wants them to be the best they can be and he drives that through the week, and that's just the measure of the person," Umaga said.

"And yep, we're playing the Hurricanes, and he loves that he's going to obviously know all of them, and he'll enjoy the banter.

"I'm sure that started from Monday [and has been] going on, but when it comes down to it, he'll do what he has to do. I'm sure."

Savea said he was excited to be playing against a team he had played for and that had done so much for his family.

"It's come to that point this weekend where I get to run out against some of the brothers and a team that has done so much for me and my family, and that I've served for many years," Savea said.

"It's going to be special."

He said he has not done anything special in his preparation for the Hurricanes game and has just ensured that he was best prepared for the game and play his best.

"It's the same, like, you know, I've got to nail things each day for me to be able to perform on game day," he said.

"As athletes, we try and use anything, everything, to build the knot in your gut, to build that energy to go out there and want to play well. Canes being a past team, that's something that I want to go up there on Saturday and try and perform to the best, especially against the team that I've I've played for four years so and got some close, close mates in that team too."

Strong team

Umaga has given 'Ikale Tahi flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini his first start against the Hurricanes.

Pellegrini received special mention from the head coach at the post match conference against the Highlanders, after the nippy player took the field and upped the momentum in the second spell of that clash.

He is one of five changes made by the coaches.

Lalomilo Lalomilo, who was replaced after suffering a concussion against the Western Force in round one, has recovered and returns to the starting lineup at outside centre.

Powerhouse front-rowers Samiuela Moli and Abraham Pole, as well as halfback Aisea Halo, will be on the bench.

Moana Pasifika defence coach Alando Soakai said he is looking forward to the match.

"There's a contingent of players that I've coached there, and we've got some players here that know some of them really well and have been part of their set up. It's going to be quite an exciting game," Soakai said.

"The Hurricanes will be quite desperate to go away with points. They play an expansive game but can also be quite direct in the way they play.

"I went into last week knowing that we didn't defend well over in Brisbane and against the Force. We showed some really good glimpses last week against the Highlanders where we could defend our goal line for long periods of time.

"This week we've honed in on being clear on what our game is and we know we can't give away an easy 21 points. It's about staying true to ourselves and playing our game."

Moana Pasifika will have a bye next week.

Players who are unavailable due to injury are Fine Inisi (quad), Julian Savea (knee), Neria Fomai (knee/out for season), Sione Havili Talitui (ankle) and Tito Tuipulotu (knee).

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes, who lost to the Blues at home last weekend, have named a strong lineup as well for the clash.

Former Moana Pasifika hafback Ereata Enari will start for the Hurricanes against his former mates.

Playmaker Harry Godfrey keeps his spot in the starting lineup, while All Black halfback Cam Roigard will come off the bench.

Moana: 1. James Lay, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Sione Mafile'o, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Miracle Faillagi, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14.Solomon Alaimalo, 15. William Havili; Reserves: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Samuel Slade, 20. Ola Tauelangi, 21. Aisea Halo, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Tevita Ofa.

Hurricanes: (1-15): 1.Siale Lauaki, 2. Jacob Devery, 3. Tevita Mafileo, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields (c), 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Harry Godfrey, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13.Bailyn Sullivan, 14.Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Ruben Love; Reserves: 16. Nic Souchon, 17. Xavier Numia, 18.Pasilio Tosi, 19. Hugo Plummer, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cam Roigard, 22. Riley Hohepa, 23. Jone Rova.