Photo: Supplied / Moana Pasifika
Moana Pasifika went so close to winning their quarter-final clash against the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Under-20 Tournament, at the iconic Owen Delany Park in Taupō on Saturday afternoon.
While the Crusaders hung on to win 29-22 the Pasifika youngsters showed a lot of grit to come back into the game and kept their hopes alive until the final whistle.
They even had a chance to win the game, with four minutes to go as their forward pack pieced a number of phases together as they looked for another try.
As the Crusaders threw the tackles in to stop the surging attacks, Moana Pasifika lost the ball with two metres to go to the posts, and Moana Pasifika lost the chance to draw level and force sudden death play.
Replacement halfback David Shepherd Fifita Kama kept the Moana Pasifika attacks on in the second spell.
It was a tough clash all the way, with the Crusaders juniors taking an early lead in the first half.
But Moana Pasifika responded with John Peteru.
Captain Chris Finau led the forwards battle against the Crusaders with playmaker Hohaia Whiu setting the direction of play for his backline, vitiating between hands on passes and tactical kicks that pushed the Crusaders back on defense a number of time.
The team is coached by former Melbourne Storm, Manu Samoa and Super Rugby first-five Tasesa Lavea.
Photo: Supplied / Moana Pasifika
Campaign manager Kevin Senio said the team is made up of "exciting backs and loose forwards who are quite industrious and love the contact."
"We've also got some young boys up front in the engine room so that's going to be a good challenge for us."
Manager Francis Stowers said their focus has been getting a group of 28 young men that the management team and coaches are comfortable with.
"We've also focused on connecting as a group to be able to implement our game plan, play with confidence and have the freedom to show our Pacific Island flavour," Stowers said.
"We're confident in the team we've selected and we believe we've got a strong group who can do something special."
The team has a good mix of talent and experience.
Hooker Finau is a robust power player from the North Harbour Academy. He was also part of the New Zealand Barbarians U20s side in 2024.
Loose forward Anton Seuseu comes from the North Harbour Academy, and played for Rosmini College's 1st XV in 2023 and 2024.
Halfback Boston Krone is another skillful player who is a good game driver. Krone was part of the Auckland Grammar 1st XV in 2023 and 2024 and has come out of the Auckland Academy.
The Crusaders march on to the semi-finals while Moana Pasifika will join Fiji in the play-offs in the new week.
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