Moana Pasifika v Highlanders
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 28 March
North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Are the Highlanders this season's surprise package already? Alright, so they've only got one win but it was a very impressive victory last weekend against the Blues, achieved with only 13 men at one point and answering a fair few questions about the side's fortitude. Former Moana player Timoci Tavatavanawai staked a very early claim for an All Black call up and pint-sized fullback Finn Hurley scored a try that'll surely be one of the best of the season.
Meanwhile, Moana Pasifika have had no problems scoring tries of their own in two high-scoring games against the Force and Reds - the problem is they've lost both.
Team lists
Moana: 1. James Lay, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Sione Mafile'o, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Pepesana Patafilo, 14. Solomon Alaimalo, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Sama Malolo, 17. Tito Tuipulotu, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Samuel Slade, 20. Ola Tauelangi, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Patrick Pellegrini, 23. Tevita Ofa
Highlanders: 1. Josh Bartlett, 2. Soane Mikaele Vikena, 3. Sefo Kautai, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Sean Withy, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Taine Robinson, 11. Caleb Tangitau, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (c), 13. Tanielu Tele'a, 14. Sam Gilbert, 15. Finn Hurley
Bench: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Ethan de Groot, 18. Saula Ma'u, 19. Will Stodart, 20. TK Howden, 21. Nathan Hastie, 22. Cameron Millar, 23. Jake Te Hiwi
READ; All team lists for Super Rugby round three
Moana selections
Moana Pasifika's William Havili, Kyren Taumoefolau and Danny Toala. Photo: Pat Hoelscher/ActionPress
If the defence is going to rise to the occasion in this one, they're going to have to do it without arguably their best defender. Sione Havili Talitui is out, replaced by rookie Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa. Patrick Pellegrini and Tevita Ofa are set to debut off the bench. Kyren Taumoefolau and Solomon Alaimalo have been in great form so far and will look to continue on the wings.
Highlanders selections
Ethan de Groot Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
Some good news after last weekend's prop-mageddon saw the Highlanders reduced to depowered scrums, with Ethan de Groot and Saula Mau'u passed fit to play. They'll come off a bench that also welcomes back TK Howden. Nikora Broughton starts at number eight in place of the injured Hugh Renton.
Key stats
The Highlanders have lost 12 of their last 14 Super Rugby Pacific games away from Forsyth Barr Stadium, including their last four in a row. However, one of those wins was against Moana Pasifika at Teufaiva Stadium in Tonga.
Folau Fakatava slides in the rain in Tonga on Saturday as the Highlanders won the clash against Moana Pasifika. Photo: Getty Images
Moana Pasifika have scored four or more tries in four of their last five Super Rugby Pacific games after not doing so in any of their previous nine fixtures. They've scored 44 and 36 points across their last two games and will be looking to score 30+ points in three consecutive games for the first time.
Taumoefolau has scored two tries in each of his last two games in the Super Rugby Pacific; only twice in the last decade has any player scored multiple tri es in three straight games (Semisi Masirewa in 2019 and Shaun Stevenson in 2023).
What they're saying
"We work hard to score our points yet we just give away points really easily. It's not just about scoring points. Obviously that's important, but we've also got to stop points being scored against us. We're scoring enough points to win games. So there's been a big focus around making sure that we nail our defence." - Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga
"We're proud of the performance on Saturday night, it's awesome to have a good crowd in and I think we showed a huge amount of heart…I think it's just down to the players and how hard they've worked." - Highlanders assistant coach Ben Smith.
The last time they met
Highlanders 28 - 17 Moana Pasifika
Fair to say the Highlanders were happy to head home under their roof after one the wettest Super Rugby Pacific games ever played. The two sies met in Nuku'alofa and put on a pretty decent display despite the atrocious conditions, the late Conor Garden-Bachop playing a big hand with a try and assist for the victors.
What's going to happen
A lot of tries if the previous few weeks are anything to go by. Both teams want to run the ball, Moana seem pretty disinterested in tackling, and the Highlanders have some real key weapons now in the backline. The key advantage the Highlanders have is their bench though, while Moana's scrum has been solid so far this season, they will be up against some real class when de Groot and Mau'u come off the bench.
