Moana Pasifika
29
Match Complete
Chiefs
52
 | 74 | |||
| 69 |  | B. Gatland | ||
| 69 | | S. Stevenson | ||
| C. Leali'ifano | | 68 | ||
| S. Funaki | | 67 | ||
| 54 | | D. McKenzie | ||
| 53 | | S. Stevenson | ||
| C. Leali'ifano | | 52 | ||
| S. Moli | | 50 | ||
| T. Tavatavanawai | | 42 | ||
| 38 | | D. McKenzie | ||
| 37 | | D. McKenzie | ||
| 33 | | B. Weber | ||
| 22 | | S. Stevenson | ||
| 19 | | D. McKenzie | ||
| 18 | | B. Weber | ||
| 13 | | D. McKenzie | ||
| 12 | | L. Coombes-Fabling | ||
| C. Leali'ifano |  | 6 | ||
| 1 | | D. McKenzie | ||
| 0 | | R. Poihipi |
| 4 | Tries | 8 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 6 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Chiefs are favoured to follow up their rousing win over the Crusaders against wooden spoon favourites Moana Pasifika. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 5:05pm (AEDT).
The Chiefs are without All Black Anton Leinert-Brown who suffered an ankle injury in the defeat of Crusaders and is set to be stuck on 99 appearances for around three weeks.
Rameka Poihipi has replaced Lienert-Brown at inside centre. A bruised calf has sidelined prop Aidan Ross with Ollie Norris to start at loosehead.
Etene Nanai-Seturo, a late withdrawal last week, should be fit to start on the wing.
Prop Jared Profit and midfielder Ngatungane Punivai are poised to make their Chiefs debuts off the bench.
Pasifika coach Aaron Mauger has made a raft of changes to the team that played the Fijian Drua on Saturday.
Ezekiel Lindnemuth returns to the squad after being ruled out on match day with a neck injury which sees double try-scorer Abraham Pole named on the bench. Samieula Moli and Chris Apoua retain their starting positions in the front row and will be bolstered by Samuel Slade and Mahonri Ngakuru in the second row.
A hamstring injury to Alamanda Motuga has resulted in a reshuffle of the loose forward trio. Vailele-native Miracle Faiilagi will make his first-class rugby debut in the number 6 jersey in what will be a proud moment for the Samoan-based flanker. The 23-year-old is joined in the back row by Solomone Funaki and Jonah Mau’u at openside flanker and number eight respectively.
Halfback Manu Paea gets his first opportunity to start this season with Ereatara Enari moving to the bench. At just 21 years of age, Paea will play inside of former Wallaby flyhalf Christian Lealiifano who plays in his 163rd Super Rugby game.
Danny Toala shifts into the boot and will start at fullback, resulting in a new-look midfield combination featuring Levi Aumua and Fine Inisi. Anzelo Tuitavuki is elevated into the match-day 23 and will start on the left wing with Timoci Tavatavanawai cementing his spot on the right wing.
There is plenty of experience on the bench with Manu Samoa internationals Ereatara Enari and Henry Taefu ready to provide impact. Ray Niuia and Lotu Inisi are also returning from injury.
Game information
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 5.05pm (AEDT)
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Moana Pasifika $11, Chiefs $1.04 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Moana Pasifika (1-15): Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Samiuela Moli, Chris Apoua, Samuel Slade, Mahonri Ngakuru, Miracle Faiilagi, Solomone Funaki, Jonah Mau’u, Manu Paea, Christian Lealiifano, Anzelo Tuitavuki,
Levi Aumua, Fine Inisi, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Danny Toala.
Replacements: Ray Niuia, Abraham Pole, Suetena Asomua, Michael Curry, Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, William Havili, Henry Taefu.
Chiefs (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Alex Nankivell, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Shaun Stevenson.
Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Jared Profit, John Ryan, Laghlan McWhannell, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Bryn Gatland, Ngatungane Punivai.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Great work ATW!
Faith
Roar Rookie
Why do Chiefs, Saders and Blues have 2-3 players deep in many positions when the Clan is struggling like this. NZR should intervene.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
After the final whistle the onslaught of sheer noise from the public address system resumes. Honestly I cannot make out more than one word in five from the PA. To hold a conversation we head for an outside bar where we learn they have run out of beer. I buy some food and the checkout guy can’t provide a receipt – he doesn’t know how and doesn’t have a printer. So all is as it should be in the world of RA sports promotion. Enjoy the next match, I will, really enjoyed this one too, live rugby is terrific, that’s me signing out for the night. Cheers!
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Full time whistle. Cheers for both teams for giving a red hot go. Chiefs ability to have options in every start play meant the game was beyond MP by half-time. MP too often bunch up with a couple of players not thinking and ready for the ball to come to them. Also they take too long to get up off the ground.
mrl
Roar Rookie
No trouble at that stadium tonight! Wish that crowd was there when the MVFC knobs carried on!!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Some tired boys after that one! It’ll be an uncomfortable review session for some of the victors after all those yellows.
mrl
Roar Rookie
Who is they guy out cold for MOA?
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Chiefs on attack in the 81st minute from a red zone lineout. Meantime the MP centre is collapsed 70m away.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Another yellow card given away by the Chiefs under pressure in their red zone. I hope many Chiefs make it into the All Blacks because their ability to scramble while under-manned is superb.
75
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Some terrible discipline threatening that bonus point
TC
Roar Rookie
Where is Realistic Chance in the rule book? And why then isn't 16 in the Bin as well??
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
A nothing kick down field by MP, the kick in reply is caught by the MP centre who decides, "the heck with this" and punches up at full pace because rugby's a collision sport. Gladiatorial, but he gets cramp or hyperextension for his troubles.
smoothy
Roar Rookie
Have been impressed with Poihipi’s game ‘instincts’ or awareness, as you’ve put it. Not a bad third-choice (?) #12 to have at their disposal!
Andy J
Roar Rookie
True there clearly wasn’t
69
TC
Roar Rookie
Clear Release please Ref
69
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Hat trick for Steveonson’s Rocket! Great awareness Poihapi.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Another grubber kick after a turnover, another try to the Chiefs. Admirable rugby.