On paper, the concept of the Pacific Islands side is genius.
Not only does it serve as a vital pathway for the nations of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, but it also validates the whole concept of Super Rugby Pacific – it is the rugby of the Pacific, the fearless flare and panache that has stunned lovers of rugby the world over.
The three Pacific Island nations punch far above their weight in terms of rugby achievements, and their inclusion in Super Rugby was long overdue. While the Fiji side is proving to be a roaring success, it is so disheartening that the same cannot be said for the second side, Moana Pasifika.
Across their two seasons so far, Moana has only managed three wins – the Hurricanes and Brumbies in 2022, and the Waratahs in 2023. From the get-go, they were always going to have a bumpy ride, with most of their squads being pulled from the NPC, sprinkled with a few veteran players like Wallabies Sekope Kepu and Christian Lealiifano.
On their day, they can be competitive. But a good performance here and there does not a good season make.
Their results are concerning, especially when you consider how many players have gone on to representation for Samoa and Tonga, and delivered some promising results.
There was a need after the end of 2023 for clear, substantial change, and new coach Tana Umaga has taken several big swings to try and make something of this team.
Moana Pasifika was shown up in many departments, with the worst scrum in the competition, being the second worst for discipline, the third worst lineout and the third lowest for tries scored, metres gained and carries.
Put simply, their set piece was out-enthused and outmuscled by everyone else, and their attack simply could not match up to the opposition’s defence. This would result in them trying to force a lot of go-forward, with the team being the third-highest for offloads.
As for their defence, well, finishing the season with a points differential of -256 (nearly double their nearest competitor last year) really says it all. All up, Pasifika conceded 610 points across 14 games last year, over 43 points a match.
Christian Leali’ifano has led the way for Moana Pasifika. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
The squad of players possesses a lot of talent and certainly was trying their best to be competitive, with the likes of Solomone Funaki, Ere Enari and Danny Toala proving they could perform well.
Unfortunately, the squad depth proved to be too thin, and the cold reality that these players simply do not get enough game time at this level has been brought home. But hey, this is why this team exists – to change that.
Moana Pasifika includes 12 Tongans and 13 Samoan players, and 27 players who have achieved international representation, more than any other side in Super Rugby. Yes, they are not winning yet, but this is a side stacked with talent from the Pacific, that grew in the areas they represent.
It’s a long game to grow such a side, years and years. Team cohesion, shared experience and time together at this level is, more than anything else, what this team needs. But it’s also why the decisions made by new coach Tana Umaga come with several big question marks.
Let’s be clear, Umaga is an astounding player and an All Black legend, and his passion for advancing the Pacific game cannot be denied, with players like Sonny Bill Williams praising him for his ability to connect with his squad.
Tana Umaga had mixed results with the Blues, and faces a significant challenge with Moana Pasifika. (Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
However, statistically, as a coach, he is still to achieve significant success.
His time in Toulon saw the club at risk of relegation in the Top 14, and his time at the Blues saw the club fail to make finals, culminating in the 2018 season that saw them finish second-last, with only the Sunwolves performing worse.
While his time coaching at NPC side Counties Manukau saw the club get promoted from Championship to Premiership Division and claim the Ranfurly Shield for the first time, they struggled to progress much further in the higher levels. It should also be acknowledged that Umaga has also excelled since moving into an assistant coaching role at the Blues.
Moana Pasifika represents a huge challenge for Umaga, but also a huge opportunity should he turn around their fortunes. He’s taken one big swing already with a massive overhaul of the squad, but such a move could backfire spectacularly for him.
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An overhaul of the Moana Pasifika squad is an understatement – 26 players have departed the squad after 2023, and 19 new players have been brought into the side.
Umaga has covered a wide range of players, from established All-Black veterans and talented players who had plied their trade in the US and Japan, to NPC talent and the players from Shute Shield clubs Gordan and Western Sydney.
Umaga has also provided a vital gap between those veterans and green shoots, bringing over exciting talent from multiple clubs.
Julian Savea is a massive grab for the struggling Pacific club. (Photo by Pete Dovgan/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
This includes props Sateki Latu from the Waratahs and James Lay from the Blues, former Australian U20s player and Samoan international Sama Malolo in the hooker role, near 200-capped Gloucester veteran lock Tom Savage, and Sione Havili Talitui, Ola Tauelangi and Semisi Paea in the loose forwards.
The backline has also been significantly beefed up, with Lalomilo Lalomilo and Pepesana Patafilo making the journey from the Chiefs and Crusaders respectively to beef up the centres.
In the back three former NRC and Brumby, now Samoan international Nigel Ah Wong will be joined by Hurricanes and All Black legend, Julian Savea, adding significant experience to Moana’s attacking options.
Squad: *denotes new signing
Props: Suetena Asomua, Donald Brighouse*, Sekope Kepu, Sateki Latu*, James Lay*, Abraham Pole
Hookers: Thomas Maka*, Sama Malolo*, Sam Moli
Locks: Viliami Napa’a*, Irie Papuni*, Tom Savage*, Sam Slade, Ofa Tauatevalu*
Loose Forwards: Miracle Faiʻilagi, Solomone Funaki, Sione Havili Talitui*, Lotu Inisi, Alamanda Motuga, Semisi Paea*, Ola Tauelangi*
Scrumhalves: Ere Enari, Aisea Halo*, Jonathan Taumateine
Flyhalves: William Havili, Christian Lealiifano
Centres: Fine Inisi, Lalomilo Lalomilo*, D’Angelo Leuila, Pepesana Patafilo*, Henry Taefu
Wingers & Fullbacks: Nigel Ah Wong*, Viliami Fine*, Neria Fomai, Julian Savea*, Danny Toala, Anzelo Tuitavuki, Otumaka Mausia*
Sekope Kepu will be hoping for a season of good form – but injuries are not the only troubles that put Moana Pasifika’s campaign at risk. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
The key positive that falls in Moana’s favour is that, on paper, this looks like a squad that has more options, and versatility and feels like a more unpredictable outfit than the squads of the last two seasons.
The X-Factor someone like Julian Savea can bring on the wing cannot be understated, and it raises a lot more questions for opposition around what this side can unleash.
However, Umaga will be hoping that this squad can gel, fast. Sometimes a massive influx of players can serve as the jumpstart a team needs – but on the flip side, that squad has to become a tight unit if it is to succeed.
Put aside the challenges at set piece, attack and defence that Moana have consistently been outdone in, the key challenges facing Umaga is not only getting these players singing the same tune, but the significant depth issues he will face should a front line player go down.
When Kepu or Lealiifano was injured, you noticed it. The lack of a solid head on the field saw games really get away from Moana, and while Umaga has pulled a good eleven experienced heads from all around the world, the remaining talent that has been spending most of their game time playing in the NPC and Shute Shield will face significant challenges playing up to the level expected of them.
Essentially, any injuries and this squad wobble quickly. Even if Umaga does sort out the team cohesion and get through without any significant injuries, he then has to tackle making the side play well together.
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Losing so many players also means the loss of shared experience together, playing alongside the player to your right and left for an extended period of time. Moana Pasifika may have only won a single match last year, but that is a full season that the team played together: and now they are starting from scratch.
It could be a case where that lack of shared experience could see their campaign collapse entirely, especially when faced with more synergised opposition that has several seasons together under their belt.
Moana Pasifika will arguably pick up the most travel miles of any side in Super Rugby this year, playing home games at several locations. This could further implicate their season – being on tour can gel a side together quickly, or be a long, long season.
They will open their campaign on South Island when they face the Highlanders, before a Pacific clash with the Drua during the Super Round. The opening rounds will see them face the Rebels in Albany and travel to play the Force and Brumbies, before the all-Auckland clash with the Blues at Eden Park.
This will kick off a few weeks of staying on North Island, where they will travel to Hamilton to face the Chiefs and host the Queensland Reds at Whangārei before their mid-season bye.
(Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)
The latter half of the season kicks off with a fortnight in the Pacific Islands, where they face the Fijian Drua in Lautoka, likely set to be one of the most exciting clashes of the season, followed by their historic first-ever trip to Tonga, playing the Highlanders in Nuku’alofa.
They will then have three clashes back on North Island, hosting the Chiefs and Waratahs while playing the Hurricanes in Wellington, before completing their season with their biggest challenge – a trip to Christchurch to face the Crusaders.
All up, this is a favourable draw for Moana Pasifika, with stretches of travel contrasting with games all over North Island. However, whether the team can take advantage is another question entirely.
It is hard to predict here whether Umaga’s calls for the season are the right ones, but the reality is that even if they are, Moana Pasifika still has a mountain to climb to really ask questions in this competition.
Improvement is possible, and getting more wins would likely be considered a more successful year, but even if they get more wins it doesn’t look like it will be enough to get them off the bottom of the ladder by season’s end.
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