Patrick Pellegrini of Moana Pasifika celebrates his try with Danny Toala (head gear) and Solomon Alaimalo of Moana Pasifika during the Super Rugby Pacific round seven match v the Crusadersat Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch on 29 March 2025. Photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz
Analysis - Self-belief is an important value that one should have.
That's what Moana Pasifika's head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga and his captain Ardie Savea demanded from the players in the past few matches of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign this year.
It was a factor that helped the side write the past weekend's biggest story of the current competition.
Both Umaga and Savea stated after the game that they were proud of the result but put everything out into its perspective straight away, both stating that rugby needs consistency week in and week out.
Moana Pasifika, in defeating the Crusaders at the Apollo Projects Stadium, has at least achieved what their fellow Pasifika team, Fijian Drua, has not been able to do on the road: win a game away against a top team.
Umaga and Savea had called on the players to believe in themselves, start the game well, do the basics right, and be consistent for 80 minutes.
The team responded, and they rattled, bruised, and bulldozed the Crusaders into submission, in front of ardent fans, who would have been left wondering what happened.
Here's five things what we learned from Moana Pasifika's performance:
1. Positive mindset critical
Having finished second-best against the Highlanders and the Chiefs in recent weeks, Moana Pasifika proved on Saturday night that they can do what everyone else is doing well.
Savea said that points to what they have been working on with the players: having a positive mindset that it can be done.
That mindset saw them throw everything they had into the game, especially on defence, and containing the Crusaders when the home team came back with tries in the early stages of the second half.
In 2024, Moana Pasifika was humbled by the Crusaders at the same venue.
On Saturday, things changed, and the momentum shifted.
Umaga said they keep challenging their players to stay positive, focus on what they need to do, win the collisions, and keep going, doing their basics right.
It worked well.
Ardie Savea has been a instumental in Moana Pasifika's performanes this season. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
2. The 'Ardie influence'
Umaga told the media after the match, when asked what he thought about his warrior captain, that he agreed with what everyone else has been saying about Savea.
It is obvious that the players have lifted with the All Black player around them.
That started the day Savea walked into the team's new North Harbour Stadium home for pre-season training, even though he was on All Blacks leave.
His presence lifted the team.
In all their games so far, that has been the obvious factor.
Against the Crusaders he scored two tries, led the drives, made tackles after tackles, and got his players on the front foot all the time.
3. Good game reader
Moana Pasifika has unearthed a classy flyhalf and game reader in Tongan international Patrick Pellegrini.
The nippy playmaker was thrown into the starting lineup four weeks ago and has not looked back.
He has continued to grow in his game and currently ranks among the best first-five-eightS in the competition this year.
Against the Crusaders, he had none other than veteran Wallaby playmaker James O'Connor.
The student had the master in trouble for the major part of the game, directing play for his backline.
His touchfinders, territorial kicks, and finding the 50/22 mark during the game had his forward pack on the go.
Umaga and Savea both heaped praises on him.
He is expected to be a key player in the team's campaign to make the play-offs, especially in the important matches coming up over the next few rounds.
The fact that he has another top flyhalf in Jackson Garden-Bachop ensures good competition, which will continue to see improvements for the player.
4. Key ball players
Moana Pasifika now has some key ball players, who are able to influence the flow of the game and turn the tide when needed.
Flanker Miracle Failangi, Pellegrini, fullback William Havili, Danny Toala, Pepesana Patafilo, and Kyren Taumoefolau.
That adds to their inspirational captain Savea, who does not need any invitation to get into action when needed.
Savea said the players are gelling well, and they play their best rugby when they are free to play.
5. Physicality
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney told reporters post-match they were man-handled by Moana Pasifika.
"We were beaten physically, they just wanted it more than us, they went through us," Penney said after the loss.
"We were fragile on our defence and we slipped off several tackles and they got behind us. They've proven that they are a quality side, particularly in the 22 once they're in behind you.
"That was certainly evident today."
There is no denying the fact that Moana Pasifika likes physicality.
The message they were given before the game and at halftime was to keep winning the collisions, keep their physicality at the top level, and keep putting in the hard tackles.
Interesting to see whether they will be able to keep that going, especially as captain Savea has called for consistency and winning back-to-back games.
They have the Waratahs, the Brumbies, the Blues, and the Drua over the next four weeks to deal with.
If they can get that physicality going consistently, with their structured and 'Poly flavour' thrown into the mix, and start well with a great finish, then they should be on track to be in the top six.
Their 26 April date against the Fijians will definitely be an exciting prospect to watch.
However, Umaga has told the players not to get too far ahead of themselves, setting them up for another tough preparation week at home, before taking on the Waratahs on Saturday.
If Saturday was any indication, fans should expect another fiery performance from the team.
