Moana Pasifika
17
Match Complete
Highlanders
45
| 78 |  | T. Umaga-Jensen | ||
| 68 |  | S. Gilbert | ||
| 67 | | M. Mikaele-Tu'u | ||
| 65 | | S. Gilbert | ||
| 64 | | M. Dawai | ||
| 52 | | S. Gilbert | ||
| 51 | | F. Paea | ||
| L. McClutchie |  | 37 | ||
| 26 | | S. Gilbert | ||
| 25 | | H. Renton | ||
| L. McClutchie | | 22 | ||
| L. Aumua | | 22 | ||
| 17 | | S. Gilbert | ||
| 16 | | S. Gilbert | ||
| 8 | | P. P. Parkinson | ||
| L. McClutchie | | 5 | ||
| S. Funaki | | 5 |
| 2 | Tries | 7 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 5 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The challenges don’t get any easier for Moana Pasifika as Aaron Mauger faces his former side, the Highlanders, who are starting to find some form. Join The Roar for live score coverage from 5.05pm AEDT.
Moana Pasifika will be without their captain and playmaker Christian Lealiifano who has been ruled out with a neck injury. He will be replaced by Lincoln McClutchie in the No.10 jersey.
Moana Pasifika are still on the hunt for their first win.
The Highlanders, who have had a horrid injury toll to start the year, are bolstered by the return of All Blacks back-rower Shannon Frizell and fellow loose forward Marino Mikaele Tu’u. Both men will be injected in the second half.
Connor Garden-Bachop starts on the wing while Thomas Umaga-Jensen remains a key player in the midfield.
Mitch Hunt once again partners All Blacks star Aaron Smith in the halves.
Game information
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 5.05pm (AEDT)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Moana Pasifika $5.25, Highlanders $1.16 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Moana Pasifika (1-15): Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Samiuela Moli, Suetena Asomua, Mitchael Curry, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Alamanda Motuga, Solomone Funaki (c), Ere Enari, Lincoln McClutchie, Neria Fomai, Danny Toala, Levi Aumua, Timoci Tavatavanawai, William Havili.
Replacements: Luteru Tolai, Abraham Pole, Joe ‘Apikotoa, Mike McKee, Jonah Mau’u, Manu Paea, D’Angelo Leuila, Fine Inisi.
Highlanders (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Leni Apisai, Jermaine Ainsley, Pari Pari Parkinson, Will Tucker, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Hugh Renton, Aaron Smith, Mitch Hunt, Jonah Lowe, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Fetuli Paea, Connor Garden -Bachop, Sam Gilbert.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
How well did Marino & Shannon go Otago? You think they’d never been out with injuries the way they played. But I still reckon the best is yet to come with these two.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Tomorrow to think that the CUBs might have the same record as the Clan and the latter have played all the top teams but the Pones. Wow.
SwissRugbyFan
Roar Rookie
Competition is a (main) problem of super rugby atm.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Hurricanes will show us where we are at the moment. Just need the injuries to stop so the backline can gone more cohesion.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Aaron Smith hinting that he will return, hoping that he does… :happy:
Cam Watts
Roar Rookie
3 wins on the trot - building nicely there Otago Man!
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Definitely seems a very calm player, the Clan have a very good succession plan with him in place.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
The Highlanders congratulations and to their fans, I give my best Dixons brother battling cancer. Moana had a horror second half unfortunately and now face the Crusaders away, it just gets so much tougher.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Fakatava great 20. Holding the ball is his strength and looks like he has learnt that the miracle ball is not needed.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
A wrist wrestle where the score didn't really reflect the effort and grit Moana Pasifika brought to the match. The Highlanders forward pack have gelled and are just bloody hard to get through.
Cam Watts
Roar Rookie
Curtain raisers over - bring on the main event! (that other south island team :silly: )
78
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Highlanders will be happy as they built pressure 2nd half and got reward.
Cam Watts
Roar Rookie
Withey(?) the No6 has been my MotM - great game!
Faith
Roar Rookie
Do Highlanders get a BP?
FrancisF
Roar Pro
Its a practice match for the Highlanders.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Does Darwa do anything right? He is just so bad.
Cam Watts
Roar Rookie
He's a big, strong, skilled young man! Looking forward to watching his progress over the next few years, I see big things for him!
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Bonus point territory, although the Highlanders have blown a bonus point in the final few minutes in recent memory.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Highlanders with a strong finish, Fakatava has been brilliant since coming on.