Ardie Savea, Blues v Moana Pasifika. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
It was not a great weekend for the two Pasifika teams in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The results obtained by both the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika in round nine of the competition means the two teams will have to fight through the rest of their games left to get into the top six.
By no way it means that the other nine teams in the competition are going to have a lesser battle.
In fact, only the Crusaders and the Chiefs look to have booked their places in the play-offs, with six wins each from their eight matches so far.
If they win two more games each, they would definitely finish as the top two in the competition after Round 16.
Brumbies, Waratahs, and the Reds have five wins each, and still need to work hard to confirm their top six finish.
Moana Pasifika dropped to 10th from eight before the weekend's round of matches, with the Drua still sitting last on the points table.
They still have outside chances of making it into the top six.
That will depend on how they finish their next five games.
Last Saturday, both teams struggled to contain their more experienced opponents - Drua going down 43-20 to the Highlanders in the bottom of the table clash in Dunedin, while Moana went down 36-17 to the Blues at Eden Park.
The two teams showed flashes of brilliance for a few minutes at different times of their matches. But they were beaten by two better teams on the day.
Here's a breakdown of what worked and what did not for them.
Hugh Renton of the Highlanders charges forward during the round nine Super Rugby Pacific match between Highlanders and Fijian Drua at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on 12 April 2025, in Dunedin. Photo: Joe Allison / Getty Images
1. Good start critical
Both teams were guilty of giving away possession early, allowing their opposition to go up on them minutes after kick-off.
The Blues built up a largelead midway through the first half at Eden Park.
The Highlanders did the same against the Drua in Dunedin.
Although head coaches, Drua's Glen Jackson and Moana's Fa'alogo Tana Umaga, had stressed that time and time again during the past month, their plans did not come to fruition.
Moving forward, the two teams will need to knuckle down on that critical area.
Otherwise, they will always be battling to catch up on the scoreboard.
2. Consistency is a must
Time and time again, inconsistency got the best of the two teams.
It happened again on Saturday.
While there were moments of brilliance during their matches, both teams could not keep consistency.
This is an area that has always been a challenge for the Pacific Island teams, even at the national level.
Lineout throws did not hit the marks at times, scrums were rattled, and knock-ons happened more than enough.
It is critical for the teams to work on address this area going forward.
Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu, along with powerful Dalton Papali'i and Ricky Riccitelli, dominated the collisions against Moana and prevented them from progressing on attack.
Moana skipper Ardie Savea and flank partner Miracle Failangi were stopped from having any influence in the game.
The same was true for the Drua.
While Joseva Tamani and Elia Canakaivata were tough to handle, it was the pack's inconsistency that disallowed momentum from building.
The second-half resurgence did not last long enough, and the Highlanders subdued it and countered with their own plays, with two end of the match tries to consolidate their dominance.
3. Inexperience shows
Inexperience showed at critical moments, especially for the Drua.
Moana Pasifika have players based in New Zealand who have experience in playing club rugby and in the NPC.
The Drua lacks that experience, as the majority of their players come from college rugby or the local sevens tournaments, although they have some who come in from other Super Rugby teams or from Europe.
The inexperience shows when the pressure is on.
Jackson and Umaga both acknowledge that their teams are still learning the ropes, especially against teams that have more experience and depth.
Given that both are in just their fourth season, it is understandable that they would still be lacking in some areas.
Umaga said the Blues just pressured them.
"We were outmuscled today, it's pretty obvious," he said.
"We had a plan and they pressured us and we went away from it. It's hard when you're playing against the reigning champions and we're trying to play their game against them.
"We didn't get enough go forward for ourselves to get our game going."
4. Set pieces
A critical part of rugby is winning the set-pieces.
If you can not dominate the scrums and the line-outs then you have already lost half of the game.
Both the Drua and Moana Pasifika were guilty of losing in the set-piece battles.
There is no second guessing what they need to do.
5. Positive showings
Moana Pasifika would be happy to note that number eight Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa is continuing to grow as a player.
He has been a revelation this season, and has shown incredible work ethic and reliability.
He was on the scoresheet in the 31st minute of the first half with a try, with the 21-year-old currently leading the competition in carries with 124.
Another positive for the side is Failangi, the miracle from Apia.
Plucked out of club rugby in the Samoan capital in 2023, Failangi has grown in size and experience.
He is fast becoming a steady influence in the side and scored a try.
For the Drua, Jackson said young Phillip Baselala, who went in at halfback in the second half, was exciting.
Baselala fired up the attacks and had the ball flying left and right with his first-time off the ground passes.
One wonders what it would have meant having him start off the game.
The former Suva Grammar School student was fast and accurate with his passes.
He certainly will be a player that the Drua and Flying Fijians will be watching with keen interest.
Young Mesake Vocevoce is another that is continuing to grow in the game.
The lock forward has been impressive and has claimed his position in the team for most of the 2025 season.
Another big showing from him in the next five rounds will certainly get him into the Flying Fijians squad this year.
Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu celebrates his try in the first half during the Super Rugby Pacific - Blues v Moana Pasifika at Eden Park. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
The Drua meet the Waratahs in Lautoka this weekend, while Moana Pasifika host the Brumbies.
Getting the problems identified from last weekend will do good for both teams.
They have five days each to urgently get that done.
