Axed Wales coach does it again as famous night stuns Super Rugby
Axed Wales coach does it again as famous night stuns Super Rugby
The former Wales assistant coach is building his reputation with Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby
Moana Pasifika celebrate beating Blues
(Image: 2025 Getty Images )
Former Wales captain Stephen Jones has helped steer Moana Pasifika to yet another huge result.
Ardie Savea's Pasifika defeated local rivals Blues 27-21 in another huge scalp for the Super Rugby outfit. Jones has been assistant coach at the club since November, 2023 after losing his job with Wales, and just a few weeks ago the club managed to beat Crusaders for the first time ever.
While it wasn't the same huge scoreline, Pasifika dispatched a Blues side who boast the likes of Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke and Rieko Ioane.
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Kyren Taumoefolau bagged a hat-trick for Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium, to mark their third win in a row against New Zealand opposition. It was also their first-ever victory over the Blues.
After 14 rounds of action in Super Rugby, Pasifika are currently within the play-off places in sixth place. ACT Brumbies are top of the table with 43 points, while Blues are in seventh, just outside the top six but level on points with Pasifika.
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It's another significant feather in the cap of Jones, who is thriving alongside head coach and All Blacks great Tana Umaga.
Jones - who won 104 caps for his country - said it was a "no brainer" to accept the job as Umaga's assistant less than 18 months ago.
He had served as Wales' attack coach under Wayne Pivac but departed at the end of 2022 when Warren Gatland returned as head coach and he was deemed surplus to requirements.
Previously, he had been part of Pivac's coaching team at the Scarlets, winning the PRO12 title in 2017.
After spending time with Umaga at the Blues during the previous season, Jones admitted he didn't need much convincing to take on his next challenge with Pasifika.
"I was very honoured to get the call," he told Newshub last year. 'I had a conversation with Tana and didn't have to think about it too long.
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"It was the opportunity to work with great people for a great team. To work in Super Rugby was something that excited me – to learn, get better. It was a no-brainer.
"The people I'm working with are incredible.
"The playing group, we've been working them very, very hard, they've been open-minded, willing to learn and willing to grow. The experience has been top drawer."
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