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Highlanders and Moana Pasifika name teams for pre-season fixture

(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

The very first game of 2024’s Super Rugby Pacific pre-season kicks off in Queenstown on Friday (6pm NZT) with a match between the Highlanders and Moana Pasifika.

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Two of the bottom four finishers in the 2023 season, both sides will be out to prove a point in 2024 while recovering from some significant losses in personnel.

All Blacks Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell have departed the Highlanders while Levi Aumua and Timoci Tavatavanawai are the big absentees for Moana this year. The latter of those players will feature off the bench against his former club on Friday, having joined the Highlanders this offseason.

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    While the Highlanders have named a starting unit and 14 reserves for the contest, the visiting Moana side have named an XV for each of the game’s quarters.

    New Moana Pasifika recruit and former world champion with the All Blacks Julian Savea is set to feature in the second and third quarters of the game. Having made a name for himself on the left wing, Savea has expanded his skillset to include the midfield in recent years and will take the field at second five-eighth on Friday.

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    Highlanders team to face Moana Pasifika

    1. Rohan Wingham
    2. Henry Bell
    3. Saula Ma’u
    4. Pari Pari Parkinson
    5. Max Hicks
    6. Oliver Haig
    7. Sean Withy (c)
    8. Blair Ryall
    9. Folau Fakatava
    10. Rhys Patchell
    11. Josh Whaanga
    12. Matt Whaanga
    13. Tanielu Tele’a
    14. Jonah Lowe
    15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

    Reserves: Solomone Tukuafu, Jack Taylor, Jermaine Ainsley, Hugo Plummer, Billy Harmon, Hayden Michaels, Will Stodart, James Arscott, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tevita Latu, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Martín Bogado

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    Moana Pasifika team to face Highlanders

    First 20-minute block

    1. James Lay (c)
    2. Sama Malolo
    3. Sekope Kepu
    4. Tom Savage
    5. Ofa Tauatevalu
    6. Irie Papuni
    7. Alamanda Motuga
    8. Iakopo Mapu
    9. Aisea Halo
    10. William Havili
    11. Tuna Tuitama
    12. Henry Taefu
    13. Pepesana Patafilo
    14. Viliame Fine
    15. Danny Toala

    Second 20-minute block

    1. Abraham Pole
    2. Sama Malolo / Samiuela Moli
    3. Sekope Kepu (c) / Sione Mafileo
    4. Tom Savage
    5. Ofa Tauatevalu
    6. Irie Papuni
    7. Alamanda Motuga
    8. Iakopo Mapu
    9. Aisea Halo / Siaosi Nginingini
    10. William Havili / D’Angelo Leuila
    11. Tuna Tuitama
    12. Henry Taefu / Julian Savea (c)
    13. Pepesana Patafilo
    14. Kyren Taumoefolau
    15. Danny Toala

    Third 20-minute block

    1. Abraham Pole / Sateki Latu
    2. Samiuela Moli
    3. Sione Mafileo
    4. Samuel Slade
    5. Allan Craig
    6. Miracle Faiilagi
    7. Sione Havili-Talitui (c)
    8. Semisi Paea
    9. Siaosi Nginingini
    10. D’Angelo Leuila
    11. Anzelo Tuitavuki
    12. Julian Savea
    13. Neria Fomai
    14. Nigel Ah Wong
    15. Kyren Taumoefolau

    Fourth 20-minute block

    1. Sateki Latu
    2. Tomasi Maka
    3. Suetena Asouma
    4. Samuel Slade
    5. Allan Craig
    6. Miracle Faiilagi
    7. Sione Havili-Talitui (c)
    8. Semisi Paea
    9. Ereatara Enari
    10. Christian Lealiifano
    11. Anzelo Tuitavuki
    12. Neria Fomai
    13. Nigel Ah Wong
    14. Viliame Fine
    15. Kyren Taumoefolau
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    Comments on RugbyPass

    P
    PL 2 hours ago
    Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

    I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

    Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


    Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


    The officiating of last feet is non existent

    The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

    A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


    Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

    Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


    About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

    Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


    The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


    I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


    The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

    Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

    Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

    My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


    Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


    Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

    Last feet to last feet + 1 m


    When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


    As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


    Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

    25 were scrum for dissent


    Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


    All the s.ite would disappear


    The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


    Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

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