Moana Pasifika Miracle Faillagi scores his third try during the Super Rugby Pacific match, Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
Miracle Faiilagi scored a hat-trick, becoming the first Moana Pasifika player to do that for his side in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, as the team claimed a hard-fought 40-31 win over the Hurricanes at Albany on Saturday.
Backed by a vocal crowd that packed the North Harbour Stadium stands, the team claimed their first win in style, responding to captain Ardie Savea's call last weekend.
The side had lost three games on the run, closely going down to the Western Force and the Highlanders on the trot.
Last weekend Savea said the team needs to start winning.
But on Saturday night the side turned on a 81 minutes performance that warmed the hearts of those on the stands, even when captain Savea could not return to the field after halftime.
"I'm proud of the boys for getting across the line," Savea told Sky Sports after the win.
"They showed too hearts and effort. It just means when you get it right you get it right.
"The backs controlled the game and put us in the right side of the field and when we got to those positions our forwards got us over the line."
Savea thanked the crowd who turned up to back them for their second game at home.
"Man, shout out to the fans out there," he said.
"I'm home."
It was the first time the All Black strongman had played against the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, since moving North, after having led the Hurricanes over a number of years.
Triple try-scorer Faiilagi said it was a team effort that got them their first win in the competition and the win over the Hurricanes.
"Thanks to the Hurricanes for coming up," he said.
"Grateful for the win, a real great performance from the boys. And those three tries, that was team effort.
"We held on to the ball and got some tries. The message was clear at halftime, just put pressure on them and hold on to the ball."
Faiilagi, the homegrown Samoan flanker, dotted down once in the first half and twice in the second to wrestle the lead off the visitors and then keep them at an arm's length.
First five Patrick Pellegrini, in his first Super Rugby Pacific start, repaid his coaches' faith in him with an inspired display. As well as nailing five out of six conversions, his kicking in general play was excellent - especially in the lead up to Kyren Tamoufolau's spectacular effort after halftime.
Hurricanes co-captain Du'Plessis Kirifi paid tribute to Moana Pasifika.
"Congratulations Moana. They have been looking for a win and they started really well," Kirifi said.
"They played really hard and played 80 minutes tonight.
"They played for 80 and we probably played for 50 or 45 minutes.
"Just not really good enough from us tonight."
Moana Pasifika scored six tries, with three more from Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Kyren Taumoefolau and Millenium Sanerivi.
The Hurricanes managed to get five on their record, shared between Brayden Iose, Ruben Love, Peter Lakai, Ngani Punivai and debutant Jone Rova.
Moana Pasifika led 14-12 at halftime and came back into the second spell with a lot more determination and focus.
They scored four consecutive tries in the second spell, as they shocked the Hurricanes with their intensity.
Earlier, the Hurricanes had opened the scoring with a try to Iose.
However, like last weekend Moana hit straight back, Faiilagi scoring the first of two well-executed lineout tries for Moana, then Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa gave them the lead after half an hour with a bulldozing effort.
But it was the double effort of Tamoufolau and Faiilagi after the break that did the damage for Moana, opening up a gap that was ultimately too much for the Hurricanes to overcome in the end, left to play catch up rugby.
Moana Pasifika weill take a well-earned bye week, while the Hurricanes head south to Dunedin to take on the Highlanders next Friday night.
Meanwhile, the Fijiana Drua lost 22-19 against the Reds in the second round of the women's Super W competition in Lautoka on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds held a 17-0 lead at halftime, and the Drua had to fight back as they chased a second win in the competition this year.
The Fijiana Drua had won their first game last week, defeating the Waratahs in Sydney but fell short against the Reds.
