Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea, left, and Chiefs' flyhalf Damian McKenzie will play a key role in their teams for the Super Rugby Pacific round 15 clash at FMG Stadium Waikato. Photo: www.photosport.nz
Whether it's a mind game or genuine admiration, Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan says they respect Moana Pasika and the challenge the team presents.
The Chiefs are the only New Zealand franchise that is yet to fall to Moana Pasifika.
Speaking ahead of the teams' Super Rugby Pacific round 15 clash in Hamilton, McMillan said the North Harbour-based side has been impressive this season, beating some of the heavyweights in the competition.
He rates last weekend's defeat of the reigning champions, the Blues, as an exciting game that proves to many that Moana Pasifika is coming of age and is a serious threat to any team.
He said he was particularly impressed for the man-of-the-match performance displayed by captain Ardie Savea, who has been an inspiration for the club this season.
"We've seen what Moana has done last week," he told reporters at the team's training in Hamilton.
"They've been impressive all year. I reckon they've taken a big step forward, obviously, knocked down some of the heavyweight teams, and I couldn't be help but sit back last week and be impressed by their performance against the Blues.
"A good, intelligent kicking game, they worked hard for each other defensively, they can launch from anywhere and have ball carriers that can break the defensive lines and really challenge you. So just a really well balanced, well coached team and getting the reward for all of their effort."
He said Savea will be a tough one to handle this weekend, after last weekend's performance, adding he enjoyed watching the team get the job done against the Blues.
"I thought it was a phenomenal performance," he said, referring to last Saturday's performance against the Blues.
"It's hard to read a paper or jump on a phone without seeing some article written about the bloke. But yeah, it was pretty inspirational performance, one of many this year.
"But that was kind of next level. To be honest, I really enjoyed it. I thought that we obviously knew that we're going to be playing Moana and see them playing that well against quality Blues outfit, it's just definitely got us on notice."
He believes the Chiefs cannot make the mistake of focusing only on the All Blacks loosie, as other players in the side are also playing well.
The challenge for his side, he said, is to be 100 percent accurate, leaving no room for mistakes if the Moana Pasifika tide is to be stopped.
"He's not the only one that poses a threat in their team. I think if you narrow your focus around one person, then you get stinged elsewhere.
"We respect what they bring to the table, the results that they've had, the ambition and they know what's on the line for them this week, just as we do. It all points towards a pretty awesome game."
Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi with the Bledisloe Cup after the All Blacks beat the Australian Wallabies at Accor Stadium in Sydney. 21 September 2024. Photo: Photosport / James Gourley
'Ardie is Ardie' - Wallace Sititi
Number eight Wallace Sititi, who is making a comeback after sustaining an injury on All Blacks duty last year, agreed with his head coach and said Moana Pasifika will not be easy to handle.
He also pointed to Savea's performance, saying his game is getting better and better.
"It'll be a big challenge this weekend. Whoever gets to put on the jersey, we'll go up against the quality side in Moana," he said.
"Ardie is Ardie, and he's doing some special stuff over there, and everyone's seen it.
"He's had a special year and but if I know Ardie, he's he's not done yet.
"So whoever gets to put on the jersey this weekend go up against quality individual, and not just him, but also the quality side. It will be exciting challenge, and hopefully we'll be able to get the job done."
Sititi, who spent time with Savea during his All Black debut season said there is no stopping the man, and he is excited about going up against the player who taught him a few things while on national duty.
"I guess there's no stopping Ardie," Sititi said.
"Whoever gets to go out there, we'll try our best to do a job. I said it last year, just to be able to be on the same team, on the same side, it was a dream, and like, whether I'm going to get going up against him or playing with him, he's one of the best ever doing it, and that's never going to change.
"He took me under his wing a little bit, not only him, but also the other loosies involved in that team, and Ardie was leading that for us. Just learnt a lot and was able to connect and relate to him a lot, I think that helped."
Sititi has been named at number eight for the Chiefs and is due to collide with his 'master' during the clash.
Alaimalo returns
Meanwhile, former Chiefs winger Solomon Alaimalo returns to his old playing ground this weekend in the Moana Pasifika colours.
He has been named to start at left wing against his former mates.
Although he has not played since sustaining a foot injury during the round eight win over the Waratahs, head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga has named the former NRL player on the starting XV.
This is one of only three changes Umaga has made to the team that defeated the Blues 27-21 last week.
Other changes include Danny Toala, returning to the lineup at inside centre and Tevita Ofa starting at fullback.
"We know that these next few games are crucial for us heading into the business end of the season, so we've got to be at the top of our game," Umaga saidm when he named his match-day 23.
"The Chiefs are a quality side who have been very consistent. We're aiming to go down to Hamilton to compete, doing everything we can to finish in the top six."
The Chiefs (11.1) and Moana Pasifika (10.8) have made more attacking 22m entries per game than any other teams in Super Rugby Pacific this season.
Moana Pasifika is aiming to win back-to-back away games for the first time in their history, following their win over the Highlanders in their last away game three weeks ago.
A win for them will also cement their spot in the top six and secure their berth in the play-offs, with the Chiefs already guaranteed a spot.
Chiefs have also named a strong team for the clash, with All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho, lock Tupou Va'ai, Sititi, Emoni Narawa, and Samipeni Finau being the Pasifika heritage players in the side.
An interesting tussle is expected between flyhalves, Moana Pasifika's Patrick Pellegrini and the Chiefs' general Damien McKenzie.
Pellegini said this week he is looking forward to playing against McKenzie.
Chiefs v Moana Pasifika
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 24 May
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
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 (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Kyren Taumoefolau, 15. Tevita Ofa
Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Allan Craig, 20. Sione Havili Talitui, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Julian Savea, 23. Jackson Garden-Bachop
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Gideon Wrampling
