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Moana Pasifika stun Brumbies with season-closing win on eve of Super Rugby Pacific finals
By Alex McLeod
Moana Pasifika have produced one of the upsets of the Super Rugby Pacific season, stunning the Brumbies to close their debut campaign out with a victory.
Paying long odds to beat one of the title frontrunners at Mt Smart Stadium, the bottom-of-the-table Moana Pasifika overcame an early red card to captain Sekope Kepu - playing in his 150th Super Rugby match - to topple the Brumbies 32-22 in Auckland on Saturday.
The Brumbies didn't help themselves on the discipline front, conceding two yellow cards within minutes of each other to play with 13 men for a lengthy period, but Moana Pasifika's fortitude and commitment to the cause was enough to get them over the line.
Led by former Brumbies pair Christian Lealiifano and Solomone Kata, Moana Pasifika's win denies the Brumbies a third-place finish, meaning they will likely have to play away from home if they qualify for the semi-finals.
By contrast, Moana Pasifika will bask in the glory of notching their second-ever win, their first since they shocked the Hurricanes with an extra-time victory in March.
Moana Pasifika 32 (Tries to William Havili, Joe 'Apikotoa, Lotu Inisi and penalty try; 2 conversions and 2 penalties to Christian Lealiifano)
Brumbies 22 (Tries to Connal McInerney, Lachlan Longergan and Pete Samu; 2 conversions and drop goal to Noah Lolesio)
- MORE TO COME
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Latest Comments
Thanks Nick. Surely they will thump Japan this week and the pressure will be off. Do you want to make a prediction that the defence coach will go before the Six Nations? England seem to want Borthwick there for a long time so surely they will back Bortho and look for a new defence coach?
Go to commentsYes, Carlos, I sensed before hand this would be a very close game, even could see an Arg. win....well, they have beaten all their three SH compatriots this year, then added Italy. And as nick says below, they were winners of the breakdown for a lot of the game, and both sides of the ball too.
Felipe very highly regarded in Ireland, esp. Leinster.
Good luck this weekend !
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