Moana Pasifika v Blues
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 17 May
North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Everything's on the line tonight between the two Auckland rivals, a loss for either Moana and the Blues will effectively end their play-off hopes. While Moana have already over-achieved this season, the Blues will be desperate to not be bounced out in the first year of their title defence.
While Moana are coming off a much-needed bye, they did have a very good win the weekend before against the Highlanders in Dunedin. Meanwhile, the Blues went up and got the job done in Suva with a big victory over the Drua.
Moana Pasifika head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga before the Super Rugby Pacific - Moana Pasifika v Waratahs at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland - on Saturday 5th April 2025. Photo credit: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Team lists
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 (c), 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, 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
Moana selections
Danny Toala of Moana Pasifika is tackled during the round 10 Super Rugby Pacific match between Moana Pasifika and the ACT Brumbies at Navigation Homes Stadium, on April 19, 2025, in Pukekohe, New Zealand. Photo: Phil Walter / Getty
Tana Umaga has been able to assemble his strongest side after the bye, bringing back Patrick Pellegrini at first five ahead of Jackson Garden-Bachop. He'll lead a very dangerous backline that includes the in form centre pairing of Danny Toala and Lalamilo Lalamilo. Up front, Tito Tuipulotu gets the start at prop and will clash with his brother Patrick of the Blues.
Blues selections
Rieko Ioane celebrates a try by Caleb Clarke in the Super Rugby Pacific final. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Adrian Choat starts at blindside in place of the injured Anton Segner in an otherwise first choice forward pack. Caleb Clarke returns to the left wing, moving AJ Lam over to the right and Cole Forbes to the bench, while Xavi Taele has been given the start at second five.
Key stats
Marcel Renata (left) and Hoskins Sotutu Photo: Photosport
The Blues have won all five of their Super Rugby Pacific matches against Moana Pasifika by an average margin of 20.4 points per game; the Blues have scored at least five tries in all five of those meetings.
Moana Pasifika have won three of their last five games against NZ opposition, after winning only one of 23 prior.
Blues prop Marcel Renata is on a five game try-scoring streak, he had only scored two in his previous 59 games.
What they're saying
We know it's going to be a battle with playoff implications, and both teams will want to come out strong from the start. 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." - Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga.
"Moana Pasifika have found a way to play that suits them. Their kicking game is about getting to the right parts of the field, and their power carries give them access to the try line. So, first and foremost, you've got to be up defensively. When they carry it, you've got to be smart about how you use the ball as well and not give them too many opportunities." - Blues coach Vern Cotter.
The last time they met
Blues 36 - 17 Moana Pasifika
After a lot of build up, this one fell a little flat in front of a good crowd in sunny conditions at Eden Park. That's no slight on the Blues, who played probably the best they had all season, it just meant the game was effectively over as a content after about half an hour. Beauden Barrett scored a try only he could and was the standout in what looked like the Blues finally remembering they were the defending champs.
What's going to happen
Expect this one to be an awful lot tighter, as Moana are fresh off their bye and have a decent knowledge now of what the Blues can bring. If they can strike first, we could be in for a real shootout as there is plenty of pace on both sides, however if the Blues can get them in an arm wrestle early, we'll likely see the big brothers of the rivalry come out on top.
