Latest news with #RugbyPacific
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Good for rugby': rivals hail Moana Pasifika influence
The rugby world is saluting the strides of Moana Pasifika after the competition's relative newcomers enjoyed their best-ever Super Rugby Pacific campaign. Moana bowed out, somewhat unceremoniously, with a 64-12 loss to the high-flying and powerhouse Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday night. After joining the competition in 2022, Moana needed to record an unlikely bonus-point win over the Hurricanes to make the finals for the first time. But a seventh-placed showing, after two wooden spoons in 2022 and 2023 before last year's 11th-spot, is rightfully being lauded. "I do want to acknowledge Moana Pasifika and the season that they've had, and the inspiration and the excitement that they brought to our competition," said Hurricanes captain Xavier Numia. "You can see now the amount of fans and people that are behind them and what that brings to rugby in New Zealand. "So whether people were here tonight to support us or Moana, it doesn't matter. "It's good for New Zealand rugby and the brand of rugby that they play and the values that they represent, things that we all have in common. "So real credit to Moana and the things that they're doing on and off the field. They've been a joy to watch this season. There is no doubt about that." But inspirational skipper Ardie Savea, the newly crowned Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, maintains the Pasifika are aiming higher. "The way where you can take the momentum today, what you've done, even just in tonight's game, these moments, what this season has done, where you go from here, we're not satisfied," Savea said. "Our goal was to win the thing and make top six, but that wasn't meant to be." The rugby world is saluting the strides of Moana Pasifika after the competition's relative newcomers enjoyed their best-ever Super Rugby Pacific campaign. Moana bowed out, somewhat unceremoniously, with a 64-12 loss to the high-flying and powerhouse Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday night. After joining the competition in 2022, Moana needed to record an unlikely bonus-point win over the Hurricanes to make the finals for the first time. But a seventh-placed showing, after two wooden spoons in 2022 and 2023 before last year's 11th-spot, is rightfully being lauded. "I do want to acknowledge Moana Pasifika and the season that they've had, and the inspiration and the excitement that they brought to our competition," said Hurricanes captain Xavier Numia. "You can see now the amount of fans and people that are behind them and what that brings to rugby in New Zealand. "So whether people were here tonight to support us or Moana, it doesn't matter. "It's good for New Zealand rugby and the brand of rugby that they play and the values that they represent, things that we all have in common. "So real credit to Moana and the things that they're doing on and off the field. They've been a joy to watch this season. There is no doubt about that." But inspirational skipper Ardie Savea, the newly crowned Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, maintains the Pasifika are aiming higher. "The way where you can take the momentum today, what you've done, even just in tonight's game, these moments, what this season has done, where you go from here, we're not satisfied," Savea said. "Our goal was to win the thing and make top six, but that wasn't meant to be." The rugby world is saluting the strides of Moana Pasifika after the competition's relative newcomers enjoyed their best-ever Super Rugby Pacific campaign. Moana bowed out, somewhat unceremoniously, with a 64-12 loss to the high-flying and powerhouse Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday night. After joining the competition in 2022, Moana needed to record an unlikely bonus-point win over the Hurricanes to make the finals for the first time. But a seventh-placed showing, after two wooden spoons in 2022 and 2023 before last year's 11th-spot, is rightfully being lauded. "I do want to acknowledge Moana Pasifika and the season that they've had, and the inspiration and the excitement that they brought to our competition," said Hurricanes captain Xavier Numia. "You can see now the amount of fans and people that are behind them and what that brings to rugby in New Zealand. "So whether people were here tonight to support us or Moana, it doesn't matter. "It's good for New Zealand rugby and the brand of rugby that they play and the values that they represent, things that we all have in common. "So real credit to Moana and the things that they're doing on and off the field. They've been a joy to watch this season. There is no doubt about that." But inspirational skipper Ardie Savea, the newly crowned Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, maintains the Pasifika are aiming higher. "The way where you can take the momentum today, what you've done, even just in tonight's game, these moments, what this season has done, where you go from here, we're not satisfied," Savea said. "Our goal was to win the thing and make top six, but that wasn't meant to be."
West Australian
23-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force coach Simon Cron says no motivation needed for final game of season
Western Force coach Simon Cron has dismissed any notion their final Super Rugby Pacific game of the season being a dead rubber despite the finals hopes having bitten the dust. After last week's loss to Fijian Drua slammed the door shut on their finals hopes, an injury-afflicted Force regain a bevy of starters for Saturday evening's clash against the Waratahs at HBF Park. And with the wooden spoon still in play and inter-state pride on the line for the Force, there is plenty at stake heading into the game. While Cron was not focusing too much on the result and insisted his focus was on the performance, he said no motivation was needed for his players despite their finals hopes ending. 'It's extremely disappointing, and you can see it in the faces of everybody in the organization. 'We started really well, and in terms of petering out, there's definitely a few things we can fix in a lot of that season. 'Hopefully that will help us be stronger and continuing to build depth in key positions is a big part of that. It's what we've got to keep driving forward to do. 'Last game is critical for us; we've got the Sea of Blue, we've got supporters, it's our home, our house: you can't give much more motivation than that. 'I don't think you should have to 'g' a player up.' Carlo Tizzano, Nic White, Harry Potter, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Nick Champion de Crespigny and Hamish Stewart are all back for the Force while Fatongia Paea gets a debut at loosehead prop. 'We've got seven guys coming back into the squad this want to play rugby, we want them to play rugby,' Cron said. 'Their rugby brains are really important for us to make good decisions under pressure, and that's big part of experience.' Tizzano has signed a new deal with the Force to take him through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup and Cron said he was excited to have the star flanker back on board. 'We've got a number of guys doing that at the moment. Going forward, the most important thing for us is maintaining our core. 'One was developing the core players, and now it's maintaining and keeping them for the next year. 'There's been a lot of change in the last two years as we start to fight our way back in and he's a big part of that core, so that's awesome for him to re-sign.'
The Advertiser
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Waratahs coach McKellar backs Bell's Irish sabbatical
NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has given the green light for Wallabies prop Angus Bell to miss the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season while enjoying a sabbatical in Ireland. Bell will link with Ulster after the 2025 Test season and return for the Wallabies' 2026 international program. "To play a season for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship will provide me with new experiences and skills which I look forward to bringing back to Australia with me," 24-year-old Bell said. The loosehead remains a linchpin for the Waratahs and his departure comes less than a week after McKellar said the under-achieving franchise needed a cultural overhaul. McKellar, though, believes the short-term pain of losing Bell will ultimately prove a long-term gain for the Waratahs, who must win their remaining two games to have any chance of featuring in this year's finals. "He's a young man who came straight out of school into the NSW Waratahs system, and we think the time at Ulster will be good for his development on and off the field, which ultimately will help the Waratahs long term. Bell earned his 50th NSW Waratahs cap in the round-nine win over the Chiefs in Sydney. The eighth-placed Tahs take on the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night before rounding out the regular season against the Blues in Auckland. NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has given the green light for Wallabies prop Angus Bell to miss the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season while enjoying a sabbatical in Ireland. Bell will link with Ulster after the 2025 Test season and return for the Wallabies' 2026 international program. "To play a season for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship will provide me with new experiences and skills which I look forward to bringing back to Australia with me," 24-year-old Bell said. The loosehead remains a linchpin for the Waratahs and his departure comes less than a week after McKellar said the under-achieving franchise needed a cultural overhaul. McKellar, though, believes the short-term pain of losing Bell will ultimately prove a long-term gain for the Waratahs, who must win their remaining two games to have any chance of featuring in this year's finals. "He's a young man who came straight out of school into the NSW Waratahs system, and we think the time at Ulster will be good for his development on and off the field, which ultimately will help the Waratahs long term. Bell earned his 50th NSW Waratahs cap in the round-nine win over the Chiefs in Sydney. The eighth-placed Tahs take on the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night before rounding out the regular season against the Blues in Auckland. NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has given the green light for Wallabies prop Angus Bell to miss the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season while enjoying a sabbatical in Ireland. Bell will link with Ulster after the 2025 Test season and return for the Wallabies' 2026 international program. "To play a season for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship will provide me with new experiences and skills which I look forward to bringing back to Australia with me," 24-year-old Bell said. The loosehead remains a linchpin for the Waratahs and his departure comes less than a week after McKellar said the under-achieving franchise needed a cultural overhaul. McKellar, though, believes the short-term pain of losing Bell will ultimately prove a long-term gain for the Waratahs, who must win their remaining two games to have any chance of featuring in this year's finals. "He's a young man who came straight out of school into the NSW Waratahs system, and we think the time at Ulster will be good for his development on and off the field, which ultimately will help the Waratahs long term. Bell earned his 50th NSW Waratahs cap in the round-nine win over the Chiefs in Sydney. The eighth-placed Tahs take on the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night before rounding out the regular season against the Blues in Auckland.
NZ Herald
16-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Hurricanes vs Highlanders live updates, Super Rugby Pacific
Live updates of the Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Hurricanes and the Highlanders. Hurricanes team to face Highlanders First-five Brett Cameron has been named on the bench for his first match of the season, seven months after tearing his ACL. Cameron was set to miss the entire season, but makes a timely return as the Hurricanes look for a third straight win. The Hurricanes have made mass changes in their forward pack with Xavier Numia and Pasilio Tosi named at prop, and Zach Gallagher at lock, while there has been a rotation in the loose forwards with Brad Shields starting at blindside, moving Brayden Iose to No 8 and Peter Lakai to openside. Bailyn Sullivan starts on the wing, with confirmation Kini Naholo has torn his ACL. Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia 2. Asafo Aumua 3. Pasilio Tosi 4. Zach Gallagher 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere 6. Brad Shields (cc) 7. Peter Lakai 8. Brayden Iose 9. Cam Roigard 10. Ruben Love 11. Ngatungane Punivai 12. Riley Higgins 13. Billy Proctor (cc) 14. Bailyn Sullivan 15. Callum Harkin. Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones , 18. Tevita Mafileo 19. Will Tucker 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc) 21. Eretara Enari 22. Brett Cameron 23. Fatafehi Fineanganofo. Unavailable: Kini Naholo (knee, season), Tyrel Lomax (ankle) Harry Godfrey (lower leg), Caleb Delany (back) Highlanders team to face Hurricanes After the bye last week, Jamie Joseph has made mass changes to his side as they fight to stay in the hunt for a spot in the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs. In the pack, Jack Taylor swaps places with Soane Vikena to start at hooker, while Mitch Dunshea slots in at lock alongside Fabian Holland. Sean Withy moves from openside flanker to No 8, allowing Veveni Lasaqa to start. In the backs, Folau Fakatava starts at halfback alongside Taine Robinson at first-five, while Jona Nareki and Tanielu Tele'a have overcome injuries to take their places on the left wing and centre respectively. Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (cc) 2. Jack Taylor 3. Saula Ma'u 4. Fabian Holland 5. Mitch Dunshea 6. Te Kamaka Howden 7. Vevemi Lasaqa 8. Sean Withy 9. Folau Fakatava 10. Taine Robinson 11. Jona Nareki 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc) 13. Tanielu Tele'a 14. Jonah Lowe 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Bench: 16. Soane Vikena 17. Josh Bartlett 18. Sefo Kautai 19. Oliver Haig 20. Michael Loft 21. Adam Lennox 22. Cam Millar 23. Thomas Umaga-Jensen. Unavailable: Caleb Tangitau (groin), James Arscott (shoulder), Nikora Broughton (knee), Sosefo Kautai (neck), Tanielu Tele'a, Finn Hurley (quad, season), Hayden Michaels (hamstring, season), Ajay Faleafaga (hand, season).
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Super Rugby Pacific team lists: Hurricanes, Highlanders, Crusaders, Moana Pasifika and Blues name round-14 squads
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia 2. Asafo Aumua 3. Pasilio Tosi 4. Zach Gallagher 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere 6. Brad Shields (cc) 7. Peter Lakai 8. Brayden Iose 9. Cam Roigard 10. Ruben Love 11. Ngatungane Punivai 12. Riley Higgins 13. Billy Proctor (cc) 14. Bailyn Sullivan 15. Callum Harkin. Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones , 18. Tevita Mafileo 19. Will Tucker 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc) 21. Eretara Enari 22. Brett Cameron 23. Fatafehi Fineanganofo. Unavailable: Kini Naholo (knee, season), Tyrel Lomax (ankle) Harry Godfrey (lower leg), Caleb Delany (back) Highlanders team to face Hurricanes After the bye last week, Jamie Joseph has made mass changes to his side as they fight to stay in the hunt for a spot in the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs. In the pack, Jack Taylor swaps places with Soane Vikena to start at hooker, while Mitch Dunshea slots in at lock alongside Fabian Holland. Sean Withy moves from openside flanker to No 8, allowing Veveni Lasaqa to start. In the backs, Folau Fakatava starts at halfback alongside Taine Robinson at first-five, while Jona Nareki and Tanielu Tele'a have overcome injuries to take their places on the left wing and centre respectively. Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (cc) 2. Jack Taylor 3. Saula Ma'u 4. Fabian Holland 5. Mitch Dunshea 6. Te Kamaka Howden 7. Vevemi Lasaqa 8. Sean Withy 9. Folau Fakatava 10. Taine Robinson 11. Jona Nareki 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc) 13. Tanielu Tele'a 14. Jonah Lowe 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Bench: 16. Soane Vikena 17. Josh Bartlett 18. Sefo Kautai 19. Oliver Haig 20. Michael Loft 21. Adam Lennox 22. Cam Millar 23. Thomas Umaga-Jensen. Unavailable: Caleb Tangitau (groin), James Arscott (shoulder), Nikora Broughton (knee), Sosefo Kautai (neck), Tanielu Tele'a, Finn Hurley (quad, season), Hayden Michaels (hamstring, season), Ajay Faleafaga (hand, season). Crusaders team to face Waratahs Johnny McNicholl has been named to start at fullback for his first appearance of the season, replacing the injured Will Jordan who is sidelined with a knee injury. There are three changes in the forwards, with All Blacks trio Codie Taylor, Scott Barratt and Fletcher Newell all rested for the clash in Sydney, replaced by Ioane Moananu, Kershawl Sykes-Martin and Quinten Strange respectively. On the bench, All Blacks hooker George Bell returns after overcoming a foot injury which was expected to sideline him for the entire Super Rugby Pacific season. Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams 2. Ioane Moananu 3. Kershawl Sykes-Martin 4. Quinten Strange 5. Antonio Shalfoon 6. Cullen Grace 7. Tom Christie 8. Christian Lio-Willie 9. Noah Hotham 10. Rivez Reihana 11. Sevu Reece 12. David Havili (c) 13. Braydon Ennor 14. Chay Fihaki 15. Johnny McNicholl. Bench: 16. George Bell 17. George Bower 18. Seb Calder 19. Jamie Hannah Kellow 21. Kyle Preston 22. James O'Connor 23. Dallas McLeod. Advertise with NZME. Unavailable: Codie Taylor (personal), Scott Barrett (thumb), Fletcher Newell (achilles), Ethan Blackadder (hamstring), Will Jordan (knee), Xavier Saifoloi (knee), Taha Kemara (knee), Dom Gardner (foot), Finlay Brewis (shoulder) Moana Pasifika team to face Blues Fresh from a week off, Moana Pasifika have made minimal changes to their side to face the Blues. Feleti Sae - Ta'ufo'ou returns from concussion to take his place in the starting side, while Patrick Pellegrini gets an opportunity to start at first-five with Jackson Garden-Bachop moving to the bench. The rest of the team is unchanged. Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu 2. Millenium Sanerivi 3. Feleti Sae - Ta'ufo'ou 4. Tom Savage 5. Samuel Slade 6. Miracle Faiilagi 7. Ardie Savea (c) 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa 9. Jonathan Taumateine 10. Patrick Pellegrini 11. Kyren Taumoefolau 12. Danny Toala 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo 14. Tevita Ofa 15. William Havili. Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli 17. Abraham Pole 18. Chris Apoua 19. Allan Craig 20. Sione Havili Talitui 21. Melani Matavao 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop 23. Julian Savea. Unavailable: Alamanda Motuga (shoulder), Fine Inisi (ankle), Michael Curry (neck), Neria Fomai (knee/season), Pone Fa'amausili (calf), Sama Malolo (shoulder/season). Blues team to face Moana Pasifika The Blues welcome back wing Caleb Clarke from a thigh injury for their crucial clash with Moana Pasifika. After missing four games, Clarke will line up on the left wing with AJ Lam shifting back to the right wing. In the forwards, Angus Ta'avao returns to the starting role at tighthead prop, Josh Beehre comes into the second row and Adrian Choat starts at blindside flanker in place of Anton Segner, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury. 'This is another big match for us. We need to be clinical as a group and lift our physicality and intensity,' said Blues coach Vern Cotter. 'We've built some good momentum in recent weeks, and this is another step forward as we focus on continually improving our game.' Advertise with NZME. Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a 2. Ricky Riccitelli 3. Angus Ta'avao 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c) 5. Josh Beehre 6. Adrian Choat 7. Dalton Papali'i 8. Hoskins Sotutu 9. Taufa Funaki 10. Beauden Barrett 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Xavi Taele 13. Rieko Ioane 14. AJ Lam 15. Corey Evans. Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund 17. Mason Tupaea 18. Marcel Renata 19. Laghlan McWhannell 20. Cam Christie 21. Finlay Christie 22. Harry Plummer 23. Cole Forbes. Unavailable: Anton Segner (shoulder), Stephen Perofeta (leg), Reon Paul (shoulder), Cam Suafoa (medical), Ofa Tu'ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season)
