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Moana Pasifika
33
Match Complete
Melbourne Rebels
43
| L. McClutchie |  | 73 | ||
| F. Inisi |  | 73 | ||
| 73 | | M. Ioane | ||
| L. McClutchie | | 73 | ||
| F. Inisi | | 72 | ||
| L. McClutchie | | 61 | ||
| S. Funaki | | 60 | ||
| 58 | | A. Mafi | ||
| L. McClutchie | | 56 | ||
| L. Aumua | | 55 | ||
| 49 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 48 | | A. Mafi | ||
| 41 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 41 | | D. Feliuai | ||
| 35 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 34 | | C. Gordon | ||
| N. Fomai | | 26 | ||
| 17 | | J. Kemeny | ||
| 14 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 13 | | L. Anderson |
| 5 | Tries | 7 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Rebels travel to Auckland as favourites to take on Moana Pasifika at Mt Smart Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores from 2.30pm AEST.
Rebels Head Coach, Kevin Foote, has made four changes to this week’s team, with the Auckland-born David Feliuai replacing the injured Stacey Ili at inside centre.
Josh Canham will also miss the game, allowing Angelo Smith to move into the No.4, while Tim Cardall moves to the bench to make his Super Rugby debut.
Cabous Eloff has been named for his sixth game of the season, replacing Cameron Orr on the bench. Joining Eloff is human wrecking-ball Tamati Ioane, who has been named for his first match of this year’s campaign.
Rounding out the Rebels bench are debutant Tim Cardall, James Tuttle, Joe Pincus and Lukas Ripley
As part of the Cultural Round celebrations, the Melbourne Rebels have taken on the name of the Naarm Rebels, which will complement this year’s Cultural Jersey which celebrates our First Nations peoples as the oldest living culture in the world.
Several new names come into the Moana Pasifika 23 this week, and coach Aaron Mauger is happy to see the return of experienced players back from injury.
A new-look front row of Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli and Isi Tu’ungafasi combine with the imposing locking duo of Michael Curry and Mike McKee to form the tight five. Returning to the starting line-up for the first time since Round 5, the young loosehead prop Pole will look to add his athleticism to a strong engine room as they face off against the Rebel’s forward pack.
Blindside Miracle Faiilagi and captain Solomone Funaki have locked down their positions in the loose trio as they continue to prove themselves week in and week out. This week they will be joined in the starting trio by the hard-working Jonah Mau’u, who takes the place of open side flanker this outing, after starting at number 8 in his debut against the Drua earlier this season.
Coach Mauger continues to name the same consistent Moana Pasifika backline; however, the squad will be bolstered by the return of 1st Five Christian Lealiifano into the starting line-up. Having not played since Round 5, Lealiifano’s experience and composure will be much welcomed by the team. He’ll combine with halfback Ereatara Enari who has been showing some of his best form over the past few weeks. The two navigators will be looking to lead their team around the park and be the key to igniting the X-factor out wide.
The solid mid-field partnership of Danny Toala and Levi Aumua have formed a compatible combination of strength and skill and continues to be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams.
The back three of Neria Foma’i, Timoci Tavatavanawai and William Havili have been at their destructive best, controlling the game with monstrous runs and being defensively sound at the back. These three will always be in search of work throughout the contest, and much of Moana Pasifika’s success this Saturday will be determined by how these three impact the game.
Off the bench, Ray Niuia and Chris Apoua return to the 23 and will join Ezekiel Lindenmuth as front row cover. The Moana set piece has slowly improved each week, and these three will play a big part in controlling the physicality in the final periods of the match.
Rounding out the forward cover, Alex McRobbie and Lotu Inisi return from shoulder and knee injuries respectively and will be immense additions to close the game.
With Lealiifano returning, the consummate Lincoln McClutchie shifts to the bench alongside the electrifying Fine Inisi.
Game information
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 2:35pm (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Odds: Moana $2.90 Rebels $1.42 – odds via Playup
Teams
Moana Pasifika (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Michael Curry, Mike McKee, Miracle Faiilagi, Jonah Mau’u, Solomone Funaki (c), Ereatara Enari, Christian Lealiifano, Neria Foma’i, Danny Toala, Levi Aumua, Timoci Tavatavanawai, William Havili.
Replacements: Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Lindnemuth, Chris Apoua, Alex McRobbie, Lotu Inisi, Jonathan Taumateine, Lincoln McClutchie, Fine Inisi.
Rebels (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Trevor Hosea, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, David Feliuai, Reece Hodge, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway.
Replacements: Jordan Uelese, Cabous Eloff, Pone Faumausili, Tim Cardall, Tamati Ioane, James Tuttle, Joe Pincus, Lukas Ripley.
Referee: Brendon Pickerill.
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Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.