Moana Pasifika beat Crusaders for first time in Christchurch

By Christopher Reive

Moana Pasifika could be a force in Super Rugby Pacific if they played every week like this.

After running the table-topping Chiefs close last week, they made no question of it against the Crusaders in Christchurch, outplaying their hosts to claim a 45-29 win.

Moana Pasifika took their opportunities well when they got in striking distance – usually doing so with the benefit of playing under penalty advantage, put the Crusaders under huge pressure at the breakdown and were strong on defence. After several occasions where they put together a strong half, or a solid 60 minutes, this was the full 80-minute showing they had been searching for.

In comparison, their hosts were inaccurate in most areas of the game and while they got into some good attacking positions, their execution left a lot to be desired.

Moana Pasifika thoroughly outplayed the Crusaders to tip up their second New Zealand rival of the season.

“After last week, we said we wanted to start well and we did that,” Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea told Sky Sport.

“We talked about moments and winning each moment. I felt like the boys stacked a lot of those moments together tonight and came away with the win. I’m just proud of the boys and proud of the boys at home who helped us prepare well.”

“We kind of knew no one was expecting us to win, so the message was for the boys just to jam and play with nothing to lose. We certainly did that tonight. We came here, did the job, and I’m just proud of the boys. They deserve everything that comes their way.”

It got off to a perfect start for the visitors when first five-eighths Patrick Pellegrini belted a kick from inside his own 22m and out in the Crusaders’ 22m to give his side an early attacking lineout from his 50/22.

The Tongan No 10 has made a strong case for one of the signings of the season since taking the reins at Moana Pasifika, and his kicking game was again a factor in his side’s performance.

But it was captain Ardie Savea who led his team forward, barging over from a pick and go to open the scoring inside the opening five minutes.

It was another Pellegrini kick that set up the side’s second try, after Crusader hooker Ioane Moananu eased over from a lineout drive, with a high hanging bomb that his opposite James O’Connor couldn’t reel in.

A yellow card to Crusaders blindside flanker Cullen Grace for repeated infringements in the 13th minute opened the door for the visitors; Moana Pasifika scoring two tries with the numbers advantage, meaning the Crusaders were left to chase the game.

The Crusaders threw plenty at Moana Pasifika. But for a team that had conceded no fewer than 31 points in a contest this season, the visitors proved tough to break down.

After a Pellegrini try, off a strong charge from Tevita Ofa on the wing, Moana Pasifika went into the break with an 18-point lead, which they extended through a penalty goal early in the second stanza.

While it looked like the Crusaders were set to mount a comeback when All Blacks Codie Taylor and Tamaiti Williams were rolled out – with tries to Taylor and winger Macca Springer in quick succession – Moana Pasifika rolled with the punches.

More good work at the breakdown to turn the ball over and thwart the Crusaders, and tries to blindside flanker Miracle Faiilagi and centre Pepesana Patafilo, saw the visitors home to a memorable win.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission