Latest news with #QueenslandReds
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Five lessons from Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua matches at the weekend
Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua Photo: supplied It wasn't the ending Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua would have wanted. On Saturday night, the two Pasifika teams lost their final Super Rugby Pacific matches for the season. Moana were thrashed 64-12 by the Hurricanes in front of just over 20,000 fans at the Sky Stadium. It was a match they needed to win to claim a sixth-place finish in the competition. But they were not able to withstand the Hurricanes' pressure, and lost out of getting into the quarterfinals. However, they finished seventh for the first time in the competition since 2022, the year they made their debut. In Brisbane, the Fijian Drua went down 52-7 to the Queensland Reds. So what went wrong? What could the teams learn from their respective encounters? Are there lessons they can take forward to 2026? Here are five lessons from the team's performances. There were some who said Moana Pasifika might have peaked early, with their best effort coming against the Blues a month ago. That argument comes in light of the team's big losses to the Chiefs and the Hurricanes in the last two weekends. Ardie Savea of Moana Pasifika against the Chiefs at FMG Stadium on Saturday 24 May 2025. Photo: Jeremy Ward Did they peak early? Assistant coach Stephen Jones believes they had prepared well for both matches and just could not click on the day. He said both the Chiefs and the Hurricanes were just too superior and suffocated Moana Pasifika. Did the two teams suffer from the lack of mental toughness? It was a question both head coaches, Drua's Glen Jackson and Moana's Fa'alogo Tana Umaga, were asked now and then. How are their players handling the pressure? Would they come back from losses they had suffered and be ready for their next matches? Both teams showed a lot of promise early in the season and while the Drua struggled from the midway mark, Moana Pasifika showed they had a lot in their tank and won six matches. But the North Harbour-based side struggled against the Chiefs and the Hurricanes. To many, it looked as if the side had not been able to handle the high of winning against the Blues. The Drua had a 'on and off' season, winning one and then losing three on the road. One thing both sides had in common was the fact that a lot of their players were still new to Super Rugby. It showed. Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua Photo: supplied One of the standouts is the fact that most of the players in both teams still need a lot of game time. They need to be playing throughout the season, in competition that will make them seasoned campaigners. Drua's Jackson said they will also look at those local players in Fiji playing in the Skipper Cup competition. He lamented earlier that the majority of his players are not able to play in the New Zealand National Provincial Championship (NPC). Moana Pasifika, on the other hand, have a number of young players in the NPC. They all need to be getting games consistently. One of the biggest problems for both teams has been the injuries suffered by some of their key players. It proved to be critical in their campaign for the top six. What will it mean moving forward? How can the two teams ensure their players are injury-free for the season they are needed for? It is an ongoing issue that they both will have to work on moving into the new season. Moana Pasifika fans, crowd and supporters, Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika, round 16 of the Super Rugby Pacific competition. Photo: Photosport / Elias Rodriguez With some players confirmed to leave both clubs, it would be critical that new recruits are secured. Not just new recruits but those who can be identified as key players who can help both clubs improve. There have been talks of some star players joining Moana Pasifika, following the inspirational Ardie Savea. Whether the club will have the resources to do that is another story. With almost seven months to go before the pre-season begins again, it is therefore important that both teams get their talent identification going early. One thing is certain though: both the Drua and Moana Pasifika are here to stay and have key roles to play in keeping Super Rugby Pacific going.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Red's historic four-try half dents Drua on finals eve
A historic four-try first half from winger Lachie Anderson ensured no hiccups for the Queensland Reds against the Fijian Drua in a soggy Super Rugby Pacific finals warm-up. Anderson scored three times inside 10 minutes while the Drua were a man down in the first half, then added another before the main break to set a new mark for the Reds in a 52-5 Saturday win. He's only the third Australian to score four tries in a Super Rugby game, after Joe Roff in 1996 and Drew Mitchell in 2010. The man is UNSTOPPABLE 🥵What a performance from Lachie Anderson!#SuperRugbyPacific #REDvDRU — Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 31, 2025 Most were handed to Anderson on a platter, especially a neat cross-field kick from clinical flyhalf Tom Lynagh for his fourth. But the haul was just reward for a fine season from the former rugby sevens and Melbourne Rebels recruit. Anderson did his best to keep his starting berth for Friday's sudden death quarterfinal in Christchurch against the Crusaders, a match-up that had already been locked in before the fifth-placed Reds took the field on Saturday. Test centre Josh Flook also scored in his confident return from a long-term hamstring injury, but the red-hot Filipo Daugunu will surely start in the centres or on a wing next week after coming off the bench on Saturday night and scoring a late try. Joe Brial completed the rout with a try on the full-time siren. There were concerns for Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson though, who returned from a fractured arm last week but left the field later in the second half on Saturday seemingly in pain. The Suva-based Drua won four games on home soil, including their clash with the Reds, but weren't able to muster a victory on the road as they finished second-last in their fourth campaign. They had themselves to blame after an encouraging start, with Iosefa Masi yellow carded for up-ending Jock Campbell in the ruck and then Etonia Waqa binned in the second half for taking out Tim Ryan's legs in the air. Haereiti Hetet scored their sole try while hooker Tevita Ikanivere, in his 50th game for the fledgling Drua, was denied from a trick play from the lineout. He charged through two would-be tacklers only to be sent into touch by a flying Lynagh, who again showed defensive grit to go with offensive flourish.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Red's historic four-try half dents Drua on finals eve
A historic four-try first half from winger Lachie Anderson ensured no hiccups for the Queensland Reds against the Fijian Drua in a soggy Super Rugby Pacific finals warm-up. Anderson scored three times inside 10 minutes while the Drua were a man down in the first half, then added another before the main break to set a new mark for the Reds in a 52-5 Saturday win. He's only the third Australian to score four tries in a Super Rugby game, after Joe Roff in 1996 and Drew Mitchell in 2010. Most were handed to Anderson on a platter, especially a neat cross-field kick from clinical flyhalf Tom Lynagh for his fourth. But the haul was just reward for a fine season from the former rugby sevens and Melbourne Rebels recruit. Anderson did his best to keep his starting berth for Friday's sudden death quarterfinal in Christchurch against the Crusaders, a match-up that had already been locked in before the fifth-placed Reds took the field on Saturday. Test centre Josh Flook also scored in his confident return from a long-term hamstring injury, but the red-hot Filipo Daugunu will surely start in the centres or on a wing next week after coming off the bench on Saturday night and scoring a late try. Joe Brial completed the rout with a try on the full-time siren. There were concerns for Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson though, who returned from a fractured arm last week but left the field later in the second half on Saturday seemingly in pain. The Suva-based Drua won four games on home soil, including their clash with the Reds, but weren't able to muster a victory on the road as they finished second-last in their fourth campaign. They had themselves to blame after an encouraging start, with Iosefa Masi yellow carded for up-ending Jock Campbell in the ruck and then Etonia Waqa binned in the second half for taking out Tim Ryan's legs in the air. Haereiti Hetet scored their sole try while hooker Tevita Ikanivere, in his 50th game for the fledgling Drua, was denied from a trick play from the lineout. He charged through two would-be tacklers only to be sent into touch by a flying Lynagh, who again showed defensive grit to go with offensive flourish. A historic four-try first half from winger Lachie Anderson ensured no hiccups for the Queensland Reds against the Fijian Drua in a soggy Super Rugby Pacific finals warm-up. Anderson scored three times inside 10 minutes while the Drua were a man down in the first half, then added another before the main break to set a new mark for the Reds in a 52-5 Saturday win. He's only the third Australian to score four tries in a Super Rugby game, after Joe Roff in 1996 and Drew Mitchell in 2010. Most were handed to Anderson on a platter, especially a neat cross-field kick from clinical flyhalf Tom Lynagh for his fourth. But the haul was just reward for a fine season from the former rugby sevens and Melbourne Rebels recruit. Anderson did his best to keep his starting berth for Friday's sudden death quarterfinal in Christchurch against the Crusaders, a match-up that had already been locked in before the fifth-placed Reds took the field on Saturday. Test centre Josh Flook also scored in his confident return from a long-term hamstring injury, but the red-hot Filipo Daugunu will surely start in the centres or on a wing next week after coming off the bench on Saturday night and scoring a late try. Joe Brial completed the rout with a try on the full-time siren. There were concerns for Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson though, who returned from a fractured arm last week but left the field later in the second half on Saturday seemingly in pain. The Suva-based Drua won four games on home soil, including their clash with the Reds, but weren't able to muster a victory on the road as they finished second-last in their fourth campaign. They had themselves to blame after an encouraging start, with Iosefa Masi yellow carded for up-ending Jock Campbell in the ruck and then Etonia Waqa binned in the second half for taking out Tim Ryan's legs in the air. Haereiti Hetet scored their sole try while hooker Tevita Ikanivere, in his 50th game for the fledgling Drua, was denied from a trick play from the lineout. He charged through two would-be tacklers only to be sent into touch by a flying Lynagh, who again showed defensive grit to go with offensive flourish. A historic four-try first half from winger Lachie Anderson ensured no hiccups for the Queensland Reds against the Fijian Drua in a soggy Super Rugby Pacific finals warm-up. Anderson scored three times inside 10 minutes while the Drua were a man down in the first half, then added another before the main break to set a new mark for the Reds in a 52-5 Saturday win. He's only the third Australian to score four tries in a Super Rugby game, after Joe Roff in 1996 and Drew Mitchell in 2010. Most were handed to Anderson on a platter, especially a neat cross-field kick from clinical flyhalf Tom Lynagh for his fourth. But the haul was just reward for a fine season from the former rugby sevens and Melbourne Rebels recruit. Anderson did his best to keep his starting berth for Friday's sudden death quarterfinal in Christchurch against the Crusaders, a match-up that had already been locked in before the fifth-placed Reds took the field on Saturday. Test centre Josh Flook also scored in his confident return from a long-term hamstring injury, but the red-hot Filipo Daugunu will surely start in the centres or on a wing next week after coming off the bench on Saturday night and scoring a late try. Joe Brial completed the rout with a try on the full-time siren. There were concerns for Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson though, who returned from a fractured arm last week but left the field later in the second half on Saturday seemingly in pain. The Suva-based Drua won four games on home soil, including their clash with the Reds, but weren't able to muster a victory on the road as they finished second-last in their fourth campaign. They had themselves to blame after an encouraging start, with Iosefa Masi yellow carded for up-ending Jock Campbell in the ruck and then Etonia Waqa binned in the second half for taking out Tim Ryan's legs in the air. Haereiti Hetet scored their sole try while hooker Tevita Ikanivere, in his 50th game for the fledgling Drua, was denied from a trick play from the lineout. He charged through two would-be tacklers only to be sent into touch by a flying Lynagh, who again showed defensive grit to go with offensive flourish.
West Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Red's historic four-try half dents Drua on finals eve
A historic four-try first half from winger Lachie Anderson ensured no hiccups for the Queensland Reds against the Fijian Drua in a soggy Super Rugby Pacific finals warm-up. Anderson scored three times inside 10 minutes while the Drua were a man down in the first half, then added another before the main break to set a new mark for the Reds in a 52-5 Saturday win. He's only the third Australian to score four tries in a Super Rugby game, after Joe Roff in 1996 and Drew Mitchell in 2010. Most were handed to Anderson on a platter, especially a neat cross-field kick from clinical flyhalf Tom Lynagh for his fourth. But the haul was just reward for a fine season from the former rugby sevens and Melbourne Rebels recruit. Anderson did his best to keep his starting berth for Friday's sudden death quarterfinal in Christchurch against the Crusaders, a match-up that had already been locked in before the fifth-placed Reds took the field on Saturday. Test centre Josh Flook also scored in his confident return from a long-term hamstring injury, but the red-hot Filipo Daugunu will surely start in the centres or on a wing next week after coming off the bench on Saturday night and scoring a late try. Joe Brial completed the rout with a try on the full-time siren. There were concerns for Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson though, who returned from a fractured arm last week but left the field later in the second half on Saturday seemingly in pain. The Suva-based Drua won four games on home soil, including their clash with the Reds, but weren't able to muster a victory on the road as they finished second-last in their fourth campaign. They had themselves to blame after an encouraging start, with Iosefa Masi yellow carded for up-ending Jock Campbell in the ruck and then Etonia Waqa binned in the second half for taking out Tim Ryan's legs in the air. Haereiti Hetet scored their sole try while hooker Tevita Ikanivere, in his 50th game for the fledgling Drua, was denied from a trick play from the lineout. He charged through two would-be tacklers only to be sent into touch by a flying Lynagh, who again showed defensive grit to go with offensive flourish.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Red's historic four-try half dents Drua on finals eve
A historic four-try first half from winger Lachie Anderson ensured no hiccups for the Queensland Reds against the Fijian Drua in a soggy Super Rugby Pacific finals warm-up. Anderson scored three times inside 10 minutes while the Drua were a man down in the first half, then added another before the main break to set a new mark for the Reds in a 52-5 Saturday win. He's only the third Australian to score four tries in a Super Rugby game, after Joe Roff in 1996 and Drew Mitchell in 2010. Most were handed to Anderson on a platter, especially a neat cross-field kick from clinical flyhalf Tom Lynagh for his fourth. But the haul was just reward for a fine season from the former rugby sevens and Melbourne Rebels recruit. Anderson did his best to keep his starting berth for Friday's sudden death quarterfinal in Christchurch against the Crusaders, a match-up that had already been locked in before the fifth-placed Reds took the field on Saturday. Test centre Josh Flook also scored in his confident return from a long-term hamstring injury, but the red-hot Filipo Daugunu will surely start in the centres or on a wing next week after coming off the bench on Saturday night and scoring a late try. Joe Brial completed the rout with a try on the full-time siren. There were concerns for Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson though, who returned from a fractured arm last week but left the field later in the second half on Saturday seemingly in pain. The Suva-based Drua won four games on home soil, including their clash with the Reds, but weren't able to muster a victory on the road as they finished second-last in their fourth campaign. They had themselves to blame after an encouraging start, with Iosefa Masi yellow carded for up-ending Jock Campbell in the ruck and then Etonia Waqa binned in the second half for taking out Tim Ryan's legs in the air. Haereiti Hetet scored their sole try while hooker Tevita Ikanivere, in his 50th game for the fledgling Drua, was denied from a trick play from the lineout. He charged through two would-be tacklers only to be sent into touch by a flying Lynagh, who again showed defensive grit to go with offensive flourish.
