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Tonga international in line for debut when Moana Pasifika play Brumbies
By Finn Morton
Tonga international Semisi Paea is in line to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench when Moana Pasifika take on traditional Australian rugby powerhouse the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night.
Paea, who has represented the ‘Ikale Tahi at Test level, is set to make his mark in the Pacific competition after previously enjoying a stint in Major League Rugby with the New England Free Jacks.
“Semisi has worked hard and earned his spot,” scrum coach Pauliasi Manu said in a statement. “He had a good pre-season and really presented himself.
“He’s got the physicality and is really strong over the ball.”
Moana Pasifika have made five changes to their starting side that beat the Western Force at Perth’s HBF Park in round four.
The most notable absence is the omission of Julian Savea through injury, while Sama Malolo Sekope Kepu, Tom Savage, Henry Taefu also make way in the First XV.
Playmaker Christian Lealiifano will start for Moana Pasifika for the second week in a row. The former Wallaby returns to Canberra where he’ll face the side he played 12 seasons for.
Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli and Sione Mafileo start in the front row, while Ola Tauelangi and Allan Craig round out the tight five. Jacob Norris, captain Sione Havili Talitui and Lotu Inisi round out the rest of the forwards.
Ereatara Enari joins Lealiifano in the halves, while D’Angelo Leuila and Pepesana Patafilo will link up in the midfield.
There’s plenty to like about the outside backs with Kyren Taumoefolau and Nigel Ah Wong set to take their places on a wing each, with Danny Toala out the back in the No. 15 jersey.
Moana Pasifika side to take on ACT Brumbies
- Abraham Pole
- Samiuela Moli
- Sione Mafileo
- Ola Tauelangi
- Allan Craig
- Jacob Norris
- Sione Havili Talitui (c)
- Lotu Inisi
- Ereatara Enari
- Christian Lealiifano
- Kyren Taumoefolau
- D’Angelo Leuila
- Pepesana Patafilo
- Nigel Ah Wong
- Danny Toala
Reserves
- Tomasi Maka
- Sateki Latu
- Sekope Kepu
- Michael Curry
- Semisi Paea*
- Melani Matavao
- Williams Havili
- Fine Inisi
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It’s a good, timely wake up call for NZ Rugby (seem to be a few of them lately!) - sort out the bureaucratic nonsense at board level. We can’t expect to stay the number one option without keeping fans/players engaged. We’ve obviously been bleeding players to league for years but can’t let the floodgates open (although I think this headline is hyperbolic as it’s a result of a recent Warriors pathways system where they are tracking things more closely) Understand the need to focus boys on rugby if they’re at a proud rugby school too, don’t think it’s harsh at all re Barakat in Hamilton. Reward the committed players with squad positions. An elite 1st XV system in NZ has done more for league than they even realise, think it’s good to protect our game further.
Go to commentsDon’t pay a blind bit of notice to Lukie… he likes the sound of his own voice and is always looking for something controversial to say. He has been banging on about Leinster's defensive system all season like he knows something Jacques Nienebar doesn’t. Which is the reason why he didn’t apply for the job obviously
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