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Watch: ‘Miracle’ try as Moana Pasifika make history in Samoa
By Finn Morton
Moana Pasifika may have lost the battle against the Queensland Reds at Apia Park on Friday, but they won the war in front of their vibrant home crowd.
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Playing in an historic Super Rugby Pacific fixture at Apia Park, Moana Pasifika were beaten 40-28 by the Queensland Reds– but you couldn’t wipe the smile off the faces of the fans in attendance.
The significance of the contest meant so much more to the home fans than the result. So again, they lost the battle but won the war.
This clash was a momentous occasion for rugby in the Pacific Islands. For the first time ever, Moana Pasifika played a home game at Samoa’s Apia Park.
After a tense opening 10 minutes, which saw both teams make plenty of errors – but they made up for it with their physicality in defence – the Queensland Reds broke the deadlock.
Reds and Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight crossed for a five-pointer 10 minutes into the contest after some brilliance from halfback Tate McDermott and winger Suliasi Vunivalu.
But the best was yet to come.
Moana Pasifika responded in a big way a few minutes later, and the home crowd couldn’t have been any happier.
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From inside their own 22, flanker Miracle Fai’ilagi made a stunning 30 metre burst down the right edge, before passing the ball to playmaker Lincoln McClutchie.
McClutchie managed to draw in Reds duo Jock Campbell and Lawson Creighton, before returning serve with an offload to the man who started the miracle try.
The hometown hero 🤩
Miracle Faiilagi scores @MoanaPasifika_‘s first ever try in Samoa!#MOAvRED #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/QN06vdgkfV
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 14, 2023
The crowd went berserk as hometown hero Miracle Fai’ilagi ran in untouched for the first Moana Pasifika try in Apia.
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“Miracle is going to score!” commentator Tony Johnson said on the broadcast.
“The hometown hero, Miracle Fai’ilagi, scores the try.”
Fai’ilagi played both his junior and senior rugby in Samoa, before getting an opportunity to make his mark at Super Rugby level with Moana Pasifika.
Back playing in the Islands against the Reds, the loose forward etched his name into Moana Pasifika history with a try that will be replayed by rugby fans for years to come.
From there, Moana Pasifika engaged in a tight tussle with the Reds – both teams refusing to sacrifice an inch in the pursuit of a much-needed victory.
Reds hooker Matt Faessler scored his first try of the match midway through the half, but the hosts struck back shortly after through star midfielder Danny Toala.
Two quick tries from Harry Wilson and Suliasi Vunivalu saw the Reds take a commanding 14-28 lead into the sheds at half-time, and they added 12 unanswered points to their score after the break.
Moana Pasifika unleashed a flurry of tries to end the contest though, with Fai’ilagi scoring his second of the night in the 64th minute.
But in the end, the clock was Moana Pasifika’s worst enemy – and the same can be said for the Reds.
The hosts fell agonisingly short of a losing bonus point, while an 80th minute Luteru Tolai try prevented the Reds from securing all five points in Samoa.
