Moana Pasifika loose forward Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa during the Super Rugby Pacific v the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday, 12 April 2025. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Consistency is what Moana Pasifika have gone for as head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga named his match-day 23 to face the Blues on Saturday.
With the chance to still climb back into the top six, the former All Blacks captain has opted to make just two changes in the starting line-up to the team that defeated the Highlanders 34-29 two weeks ago.
It sees flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini getting back his number 10 jersey, with tough tighthead prop Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, also starting off.
Umaga knows his warriors must start off well and keep going until the last whistle against the reigning champs.
"We know it's going to be a battle with playoff implications, and both teams will want to come out strong from the start," Umaga told the media this week.
"Our team is feeling refreshed and ready for the challenge, and it's going to be special playing in front of our passionate fans at North Harbour Stadium once again."
Umaga has gone with captain Ardie Savea, Miracle Failangi and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa to be his loose trio again, expecting a tough battle against the Blues combination of Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali'i and Hoskins Sotutu.
An exciting battle is expected at flyhalf, with young Pellegrini lined up against the experienced Beauden Barrett of the Blues.
Saturday's clash will be a rematch, with the Blues having won the first one in Round 10, a big 36-17 scoreline at Eden Park.
If Moana Pasifika wins, they will jump back into the top six.
But if they lose then their campaign to finish in the play-offs will be tougher, with two away games against the Chiefs and the Hurricanes in the next two weeks.
An interesting battle is also expected in the forward packs, with Tito Tuipulotu named in the starting XV, with likely clashes against brother and Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu for the first time in Moana Pasifika colours.
Samiuela Moli and Sione Havili Talitui are two other players re-joining the team, feeling fresh after last week's bye. They will add power, experience and options off the bench.
Moana Pasifika is aiming for consecutive wins against New Zealand teams for the first time in Super Rugby history, following their win over the Highlanders two weeks ago.
The game is also set to bring in Moana Pasifika's largest home crowd with the cross-town contest being highly-anticipated for Auckland and Pacific communities.
Unavailable due to injury are Alamanda Motuga, Fine Inisi, Michael Curry, Neria Fomai, Pone Fa'amausili and Sama Malolo.
Clarke returns
Blues dynamo Caleb Clarke has been named to return from injury for Saturday night's clash.
Clarke will line up on the left wing, after missing four games with a thigh injury.
All Blacks prop Angus Ta'avao returns to the starting role at tighthead prop.
Head coach Vern Cotter said his side is focused on putting together another strong performance against Moana Pasifika.
"This is another big match for us," he said.
"We need to be clinical as a group and lift our physicality and intensity. We've built some good momentum in recent weeks, and this is another step forward as we focus on continually improving our game."
The Blues defeated the Fijian Drua in Suva last weekend to climb into the top six.
Moana Pasifika v Blues
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 17 May
North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea (captain), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Tevita Ofa, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Allan Craig, 20. Sione Havili Talitui, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Julian Savea
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Angus Ta'avao, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Josh Beehre, 6. Adrian Choat, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Taufa Funaki, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Xavi Taele, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. AJ Lam, 15. Corey Evans
Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Marcel Renata, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Cam Christie, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Cole Forbes
