Mt Smart Stadium, AUCKLAND, NZ
1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth 2. Samiuela Moli 3. Suetena Asomua 4. Michael Curry 5. Samuel Slade 6. Miracle Faiilagi 7. Alamanda Motuga 8. Solomone Funaki © 9. Ereatara Enari 10. Lincoln McClutchie 11. Neria Fomai 12. Danny Toala 13. Levi Aumua
14. Timoci Tavatavanawai 15. William Havili 16. Luteru Tolai 17. Abraham Pole
18. Joe ‘Apikotoa 19. Mike McKee 20. Jonah Mau’u 21. Manu Paea
22. D’Angelo Leuila 23. Fine Inisi
Returning home after going down to a firing Hurricanes outfit, Moana Pasifika are seeking to secure their first win for 2023 on home soil.
The team from the South are also looking to turn their season around after starting their Super Rugby Pacific campaign with an 0 for 3 streak. Now with two wins in a row, which includes a strong 57-point performance against the Fijian Drua, the Highlanders are hoping to build upon their momentum against a hungry Moana side.
Ezekiel Lindenmuth will look to bolster the Moana Pasifika set piece as he returns to the starting XV where he’ll join the accurate Samiuela Moli and Suetena Asomua in the front row. Loose Forward utility Michael Curry returns from his neck injury to form the locking duo alongside Samuel Slade and complete the tight five. Ruled out with a neck injury, Christian Lealiifano makes way for first five Lincoln McClutchie to make his second start of the season and will form a Hawkes Bay 9 & 10 combination with halfback Ereatara Enari.
Moana Pasifika will also welcome back two stalwarts of their backline in the form of star winger Timoci Tavatavanawai and Inside-Centre Danny Toala. Tavatavanawai who currently sits third in the entire Super Rugby Pacific competition in defenders beaten, and Toala, whose kicking game and versatility has been the key to unlocking Moana’s attacking fire, will offer much leadership and go-forward with the absence of Lealiifano.
The new arrivals on the bench are headlined by Joe ‘Apikotoa, the St Pat’s Silverstream product that’ll be looking to make an impact as he returns to the side for his 2023 debut. Jonah Mau’u, who impressed early on in his debut for Moana Pasifika against the Fijian Drua this year, also gets another opportunity from the hardwood.
Unavailable due to injury: Sekope Kepu (achilles), Jack Lam (ankle), Penitoa Finau (foot), Christian Lealiifano (neck), Alex McRobbie (shoulder), Lotu Inisi (knee laceration), Jonathan Taumateine (hamstring), Anzelo Tuitavuki (concussion).
Highlanders:
1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Leni Apisai, 3-Jermaine Ainsley, 4-Pari Pari Parkinson, 5-Josh Dickson, 6-Sean Withy, 7-Billy Harmon (C), 8-Hugh Renton, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Mitch Hunt, 11-Jonah Lowe, 12-Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13-Fetuli Paea, 14-Connor Garden-Bachop, 15-Sam Gilbert
Reserves: 16-Andrew Makalio, 17-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18-Saula Ma’u, 19-Max Hicks, 20-Shannon Frizell, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Cameron Millar, 23-Marino Mikaele Tu’u
Meanwhile, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u returns from a long layoff due to a rib injury to slot on to the reserves.
In the backs, Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Connor Garden Bachop replace the injured Jake Te Hiwi and Martin Bogado. Fetuli Paea stays at centre and Sam Gilbert at fullback.
PREDICTION.
These teams played in the preseason and there wasn’t much in it. Both need a win to stay in touch with the top six teams, and this is Pasifika’s home game. Mt Smart will be full of their supporters. For me the Highlanders will be too skilled across the paddock, and discipline could hurt the Pasifika team. While they are dangerous and can break out from anywhere on the field, if the Otago team stay structured they will win. Highlanders by 10 points.
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