Latest news with #XavierNumia
The Advertiser
3 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."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'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. Presenting your inaugural Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year... Ardie Savea 👏HUGE shift from the @MoanaPasifika_ captain in 2025 💪#SuperRugbyPacific — Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 31, 2025 "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."
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
'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."
West Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
'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."
NZ Herald
26-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Hurricanes v Brumbies: Live updates from Super Rugby Pacific round 11
All the action as the Hurricanes take on the Brumbies in Canberra. Hurricanes team to face the Brumbies The Hurricanes welcome back All Black and co-captain Billy Proctor for his first start of 2025 as part of an injury-hit side to face the Brumbies in Canberra. Proctor, 25, has been absent for nearly all of this season with an Achilles injury but made his comeback in last weekend's draw away to the Western Force. His return means Proctor will partner with Riley Higgins in midfield, and Bailyn Sullivan drops to the bench. In the forwards, Tevita Mafileo moves into the starting side in a swap with Xavier Numia, while All Blacks props Pasilio Tosi and Xavier Numia also swap. Elsewhere, the Hurricanes' stocks have been hit after the Force draw, with four players ruled out for failed head injury assessments. The quartet of co-captain Asafo Aumua, Isaiah Walker-Leawere, Peter Umaga-Jensen and Fatafehi Fineanganofo have all been ruled out for the week. In their places, Raymond Tuputupu, Zach Gallagher, Higgins and Kini Naholo all start. On the bench, halfback Eretara Enari will notch his 50th Super Rugby appearance as and when he replaces starter Cam Roigard. No Kiwi team has managed to win in Australia this season, with the Hurricanes' draw last week the best result by a New Zealand outfit. Hurricanes: 1. Tevita Mafileo, 2. Raymond Tuputupu, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Zach Gallagher, 6. Brad Shields (cc), 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Riley Higgins, 13. Billy Proctor (cc), 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Callum Harkin. Bench: 16. Jacob Devery, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Will Tucker, 20. Brayden Iose, 21. Eretara Enari, 22. Riley Hohepa, 23. Bailyn Sullivan.
