Moana Pasifika
24
80
Hurricanes
19
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Round Six of Super Rugby Pacific kicks off with Moana Pasifika taking on the Hurricanes at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland as they search for their first victory of the season. Join The Roar for live scores from 5:05pm (AEDT).
Hurricanes coach Jason Holland has confirmed that returning club hero, scrum half TJ Perenara, will start as the Canes take on the Moana Pasifika on Friday afternoon.
While the club has other high profile All Blacks such as Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett in the match day 23, it’s the presence of Perenara that will have all of the club buzzing.
He hasn’t played for the Canes for 596 days and the club have really missed his experience, talent and ability to get his side on the front foot.
As well as bring back some older talent, Holland has also selected four players to make their debuts on Friday. Ex Highlanders’ second five-eighth Teihorangi Walden starts along with Josh Moorby on the wing and youngster Aidan Morgan joins Perenara in the halves. Tom Parsons meanwhile is on the bench.
Morgan will need to play well as the Moana Pasifika side will have identified him as a potential weak link to target.
Coach Aaron Mauger has made four changes to his side as the club look to play three games in eight days as they look to play catch up on their delayed matches from earlier in the season.
Hooker Samiuela Moli will start after two good games as a sub and will be joined by debutant Veikoso Poloniati who plays in the second row.
Prediction
This might be a Canes side that lacks the same punch as a few seasons ago but they are still a good side and will see off the newbies to Super Rugby with ease.
Canes by 12.
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEDT), Friday 24th March 2022
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Moana Pasifika $67.00, Hurricanes $1.03 – odds via PlayUp
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Referee: Paul Williams, Jono Bredin
Moana Pasifika
1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2. Samiuela Moli, 3. Sekope Kepu (c), 4. Veikoso Poloniati, 5. Sam Slade, 6. Sione Tu’ipulotu, 7. Solomone Funaki, 8. Henry Time-Stowers, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Christian Leali’ifano, 11. Neria Foma’i, 12. Henry Taefu, 13. Levi Aumua, 14. Tima Fainga’anuku, 15. William Havili.
Reserves: 16. Ray Niula, 17. Taukiha’amea Kolomatagi, 18. Joe Apikotoa, 19. Alex McRobbie, 20. Josh Kaifa, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Lincoln McClutchie, 23. Danny Toala.
Hurricanes
1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Caleb Delaney, 5. Scott Scrafton, 6. Reed Prinsep (c), 7. Blake Gibson, 8. Brayden Iose, 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Aidan Morgan, 11. Wes Goosen, 12. Teihorangi Walden, 13. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Jordie Barrett.
Reserves: 16. James O’Reilly, 17. Alex Fidow, 18. Tevita Mafielo, 19. Tom Parsons, 20. Ardie Savea, 21. Cameron Roigard, 22. Ruben Love, 23. Salesi Rayasi.
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