SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC,APRIL 29th,2023 MELBOURNE REBELS v MOANA PASIFIKA
MT SMART STADIUM,AUCKLAND,NZ.
The Rebels don’t travel well in terms of results and Moana Pasifika don’t win. It makes for an interesting game in Auckland.
The Rebels have lost 12 of the past 13 times they have travelled outside Victoria even allowing for some good recent performances.
They are 2-6 and considered as big improvers in 2023. They have to get some results on the board and this tricky one against the winless Moana Pasifika is a game they need to win.
The Rebels take risks with their attack. It’s not the way to play the Pacific islanders who love opponents who carelessly rack up sloppy turnovers. They return them for tries.
The Rebels have been “up” for a while now, especially that excellent effort last round when they went toe-to-toe with the champion Crusaders for 70 minutes.
That makes this a danger game for the Rebels, who may be a bit flat. You have to fancy Moana Pasifika are about due after eight losses.
No team beats more defenders on attack or scores fewer points than Moana Pasifika so that cries poor execution and wasting chances.
Centre Levi Aumua is a superb player. He’s made 11 line breaks and beaten 45 would-be tacklers himself, the most in the competition.
It’s time for Moana Pasifika.
Rebels Head Coach, Kevin Foote, has made four changes to this week’s team, with the Auckland-born David Feliuai replacing the injured Stacey Ili at inside centre.
Feliuai has impressed in his first season at Melbourne, with the twenty-five-year-old playing four matches, including a starring role in the Rebels’ Round 5 win over Australian rivals, the Queensland Reds.
Josh Canham will also miss the game, allowing Angelo Smith to move into the No.4, while Tim Cardall moves to the bench to make his Super Rugby debut.
Cardall joined the Rebels after playing four years for Premiership Rugby side, Wasps Rugby Football Club, where the lock played 23 matches for the Coventry Club.
Cabous Eloff has been named for his sixth game of the season, replacing Cameron Orr as a finisher. Joining Eloff is human wrecking-ball Tamati Ioane, who has been named for his first match of this year’s campaign.
After dominating the Canberra Club competition from 2020 to 2021, Ioane joined the Rebels last year going on to make ten appearances including five starts in his maiden Super Rugby season.
Ionae’s inclusion will add explosive ball running and reliable defense to an already-strong Rebels backrow boasting Josh Kemeny, the recently re-signed, Vaiolini Ekuasi and Captain Brad Wilkin, who last Friday scored a career-high, fourth try of the season.
Rounding out the Rebels late game finishers is debutant Tim Cardall, James Tuttle, Joe Pincus and Lukas Ripley, who made an impressive cameo during last week’s battle against the Crusaders.
PASIFIKA (1-15):
Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Michael Curry, Mike McKee, Miracle Faiilagi, Jonah Mau’u, Solomone Funaki (c), Ereatara Enari, Christian Lealiifano, Neria Foma’i, Danny Toala, Levi Aumua, Timoci Tavatavanawai, William Havili
RESERVES:
Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Lindnemuth, Chris Apoua, Alex McRobbie, Lotu Inisi, Jonathan Taumateine, Lincoln McClutchie, Fine Inisi
Several new names come into the Moana Pasifika 23 this week, and Head Coach Aaron Mauger is happy to see the return of experienced players back from injury.
A new-look front row of Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli and Isi Tu’ungafasi combine with the imposing locking duo of Michael Curry and Mike McKee to form the tight five. Returning to the starting line-up for the first time since Round 5, the young loosehead prop Pole will look to add his athleticism to a strong engine room as they face off against the Rebel’s forward pack.
Blindside Miracle Faiilagi and captain Solomone Funaki have locked down their positions in the loose trio as they continue to prove themselves week in and week out. This week they will be joined in the starting trio by the hard-working Jonah Mau’u, who takes the place of open side flanker this outing, after starting at number 8 in his debut against the Drua earlier this season.
Coach Mauger continues to name the same consistent Moana Pasifika backline; however, the squad will be bolstered by the return of 1st Five Christian Lealiifano into the starting line-up. Having not played since Round 5, Lealiifano’s experience and composure will be much welcomed by the team. He’ll combine with halfback Ereatara Enari who has been showing some of his best form over the past few weeks. The two navigators will be looking to lead their team around the park and be the key to igniting the X-factor out wide.
REBELS (1-15):
Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Trevor Hosea, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin (c), Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, David Feliuai, Reece Hodge, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES:
Jordan Uelese, Cabous Eloff, Pone Fa’amausili, Tim Cardell, Tamati Ioane, James Tuttle, Joe Pincus, Lukas Ripley
As part of the Cultural Round celebrations, the Melbourne Rebels have taken on the name of the Naarm Rebels, which will complement this year’s Cultural Jersey which celebrates our First Nations peoples as the oldest living culture in the world. At Mt Smart stadium the curtain raiser kicks off at 2.05pm with the Samoa women’s Manusina XV facing rivals Tonga Womens That is followed at 4.35pm with the clash between Moana Pasifika and the Melbourne Rebels.
Moana Pasifika will wear its red and blue heritage jersey, which pays tribute to the impact of Samoan and Tongan Rugby on the Pacific region and the success they have enjoyed on the world stage. This jersey proudly proclaims its Pacific rugby heritage and highlights the importance of Polynesian culture to Pasifika Rugby. The influence of traditional designs is apparent in the tatau patterns that decorate the jersey’s chest, shoulders, and sleeves.
Referee. Angus Mabey
Assistant Referees. Brendon Pickerill, Marcus Playle
PREDICTION
Maybe I am crazy, not sure, but I am going to back the Moana side in Auckland and hope they do not make too many mistakes ,because if they do Reece Hodge will punish them. Moana Pasifika by 1 point.
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