Highlanders v Moana Pasifika
Kick-off: 3:35pm Sunday 4 May
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Coming off a comprehensive 35-15 win against Fiji Drua, ninth-placed Moana Pasifika aim keep their playoff hopes alive as they now shift their focus towards the Highlanders in Dunedin. The home side are one place below in 10th and in desperate territory as they try and avoid being the lowest-ranked NZ side.
Contrasting fortunes for both teams last weekend: Moana had a good win over the Drua, while the Highlanders were blown out by the Crusaders.
Moana Pasifika Ardie Savea soring a disallowed try. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Team lists
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Soane Vikena, 3. Saula Ma'u, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Oliver Haig, 6. TK Howden, 7. Sean Withy, 8. Hugh Renton (cc), 9. Nathan Hastie, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 14. Sam Gilbert, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Rohan Wingham, 19. Mitch Dunshea, 20. Veveni Lasaqa, 21. Folau Fakatava, 22. Taine Robinson, 23. Jake Te Hiwi
Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Chris Apoua, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Tevita Ofa, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Tomasi Maka, 17. Monu Moli, 18. Pone Fa'amausili, 19. Ofa Tauatevalu, 20. Sione Havili Talitui, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Julian Savea, 23. Patrick Pellegrini
Highlanders selections
Timoci Tavatavanawai, right, and Hugh Renton in action during the Super Rugby Pacific Round 2 match between the Highlanders and the Blues at AAMI Park in Melbourne, 1 March, 2024. Photo: Photosport
Minimal changes to Jamie Joseph's forward pack, with co-captain Hugh Renton returning to number eight. With many of Joseph's backs still on the mend, Timoci Tavatavanawai will move back into the midfield alongside Thomas Umaga-Jensen, whilst Sam Gilbert is pushed out to the right wing. Nathan Hastie once again starts ahead of Folau Fakatava at halfback.
Moana Pasifika selections
Aisea Halo and Kyren Taumoefolau. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
Tana Umaga has named two players to debut off the bench - Ofa Tauatevalu and former Wallabies prop Pone Fa'amausili. Chris Apoua has earned a start at prop, while Kyren Taumoefolau returns to the starting lineup at left wing. Tevita Ofa joins him on the right wing after a stellar performance against the Drua.
Key stats
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
The Highlanders have scored 35-plus points and won both of their two games against Moana Pasifika at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Super Rugby Pacific, including a 35-21 win in their most recent such fixture.
Moana Pasifika have lost eight of their nine Super Rugby Pacific games when playing as the away team, conceding an average of 44 points per game in that stretch.
Moana flanker Miracle Faiilagi has scored seven tries across his last six Super Rugby Pacific games but has not scored any tries from three career appearances against the Highlanders.
What they're saying
"We've got to start well; we gave them too much of a start the last time. We tried to chase it down in the second half, but we couldn't get there in the end." - Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga.
"The best way to lead is to play well, the chat in our leadership is we have to be the best on the field in our positions, and everything else is easier for us to lead." - Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea.
The last time they met
Highlanders 31 - 29 Moana Pasifika
Culture Round saw a thrilling topsy-turvy match between the two sides. With majority of the first half dominated by the Highlanders, Caleb Tangitau pinched a 90 metre intercept try to boost his teams lead to 31-10 at the half. However, the second half saw the script was completely flipped with Moana Pasifika scoring three tries. Ultimately, Moana fell short but it set the momentum for their subsequent wins.
What's going to happen
This is a crucial game for both sides, given where they both are on the ladder. Moana can potentially rise to sixth spot and set a foundation for what's shaping up to be a tough run home, while the Highlanders just need to find the form that saw them start the competition with two wins from their first three games. Conditions will be perfect under the roof, so there's no excuse for both sides not to run the ball from everywhere.
