1
Positional change for Danny Toala the talking point for Moana Pasifika's next clash
By Tom Vinicombe
After having to play five games in the space of 16 days earlier in the season, Moana Pasifika are now set to play their first game in two weeks when they take on the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday evening.
Last weekend's Super Round clash between Moana Pasifika and the Western Force was called off due to the number of Covid cases in the Force camp, which has given the Pacific Islands side plenty of time to prepare for their showdown with the Rebels.
Despite the ample time off between matches, coach Aaron Mauger has still seen fit to make 10 changes to the starting line-up from the last time Moana Pasifika took the field against the Chiefs on 14 April, where they were seen to 45-12 by the Hamiltonians.
Hooker Ray Niuia, lock Veikoso Poloniati and blindside flanker Michael Curry are the sole survivors in the forward pack from the last match.
In the front row, Niuia will be joined by Abraham Pole and captain Sekope Kepu, who will be making his first appearance since suffering an injury against the Highlanders at the beginning of the month.
Poloniati - who has been a regular feature in the starting XV since making his debut in Round 6 against the Hurricanes in Moana Pasifika's only win of the season - will partner Samuel Slade in the second row while Curry will combine with Alamanda Motuga and Henry Time-Stowers in the loose forwards.
In the backs, halfback Ereatara Enari, midfielder Henry Taefu and wing Timoci Tavatavanawai have retained their spots in the run-on side - although flying Fijian Tavatavanawai will shift from the right wing to the left.
Enari and the experienced Christian Lealiifano will partner up in the halves while Taefu will be joined by Levi Aumua in the midfield.
Tima Fainga'anuku takes his regular spot in the No 14 jersey while Danny Toala has been named at fullback for the first time this season after impressing in the centres.
Front-rowers Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Lindenmuth and Joe Apitoko will provide impact from the bench in the forward pack alongside Sione Tuipulotu and Solomone Funaki with Jonathan Taumateine, Lincoln McClutchie and Solomone Kata covering the backs.
Saturday's battle with the Rebels - who have mustered just two wins themselves this season - is set to kick off at 7:45pm AEST (9:45pm NZT) at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Moana Pasifika: Danny Toala, Tima Fainga'anuku, Levi Aumua, Henry Taefu, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Christian Lealiifano, Ereatara Enari, Henry Time-Stowers, Alamanda Motuga, Michael Curry, Samuel Slade, Veikoso Poloniati, Sekope Kepu, Ray Niuia, Abraham Pole. Reserves: Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Joe Apikotoa, Sione Tuipulotu, Solomone Funaki, Jonathan Taumateine, Lincoln McClutchie, Solomone Kata.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
'Chaos': Lawes sheds light on the social that ended 2 England careers
3
How much Toulon are paying new signing Antoine Frisch
4
Ex-Ireland wing brands Six Nations champs 'not that good'
5
Latest Comments
Skelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
Go to commentsSharks deserved to be far further back by the last quarter. Their tackling was awful, their set pieces were disappointing, their defensive organization was poor (especially on the Kok side of the D line), they kept making unnecessary errors, and they never looked like cracking the Clermont defense during those first 60m. Masuku kept them in touch, with some help from the Clermont generosity on penalty opportunities. Agree with the writer of this article. It was belligerence, and ability to raise their pressure game just enough, that turned the last quarter into a Bok-style shutout. Clermont have a reputation of not playing the full 80m, and there was a bit of that for sure. But, quite often when the intensity of a team drops off in the last quarter credit is due to the opponent for tiring them out. At 60m, with the Kok try, you thought that just maybe the game was on. At 70m, with the Mapimpi contribution, one felt that Clermont were fading, while facing a team that would maintain the pressure game through the final whistle. Good win in the end, but the Sharks are still playing way below their potential. And with their resources, and a coach that has had enough time to figure things out, they are running out of excuses.
Go to comments