Hurricanes run riot as injuries rock Moana Pasifika in Wellington

Moana Pasifika’s tough start to the new season rolled on Friday night in Wellington after a heavy injury toll and a ruthless Hurricanes side proved too much to handle.

More than 12 hours on from kickoff, the focus is already shifting to recovery and response after the Hurricanes claimed a commanding 52-10 home victory, running in eight tries to two.

The most worrying moment of the match came early in the second half. Moana fullback William Havili lasted barely 15 minutes before suffering a heavy head knock in a collision after an attempted dummy kick.

Havili was unable to stand and left the field on a stretcher, a sobering sight for teammates and fans alike.

Moana had already been dealt a blow in the first half when 21-year-old Israel Leota was ruled out with an ankle injury.

Losing two key players so early only added to the uphill battle against a Hurricanes side that looked sharp and hungry.

It was not all plain sailing for the home side. Hurricanes flyhalf Brett Cameron was taken from the field in the 23rd minute after an awkward tackle involving Moana’s Faletoi Peni.

Cameron, who has battled injuries in the past, got back to his feet before going back down again and was helped off.

Even with that disruption, the Hurricanes never lost control. Captain Jordie Barrett led from the front, guiding his side around the park and keeping the pressure on.

Brett Cameron of the Hurricanes down injured. Photo/Elias Rodriguez/Photosport

Their pace and movement stretched Moana’s defence all night and once the gaps opened, the tries followed.

For Moana, there were at least some bright spots in a difficult evening. Eight new players made their debut for the club, a proud moment for them and their families across the Pacific.

Head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga said the experience would help the newcomers grow.

“We gave some guys a bit of a run who have been training for a long time… they’ll be better for this experience… and it’s great for them and their families,” he said in a post-match interview.

Umaga was honest about the challenge his side faced: “They were everywhere,” he said of the Hurricanes, adding that it was hard to slow their ball down and get over the gain line.

Moana now turn their attention quickly to next Friday when they host the Western Force in Auckland.

Billy Proctor of the Hurricanes. Photo/Kerry Marshall/Photosport

With injuries to assess and lessons to take on board, the week ahead will be crucial for Umaga and his men.

Meanwhile, it was another tough outing for the Fijian Drua who went down 36-13 to the Waratahs in Sydney.

The Drua showed improvement from their opening match against Moana and competed strongly in the first half but the visitors just could maintain the pressure for the full 80 minutes.

Drua wing Manasa Mataele said in a post-match interview that discipline and field position hurt his side.

“I think we’re playing too much in our half which gave the Warratahs attacking opportunities,” he said. “I think we did that well in the first half, but the second half… yeah we pushed our luck.”

While Mataele says it’s a “big improvement,” the key takeaway is now consistency.

The Drua will return home to host the Hurricanes next Saturday, while the Warratahs have their first bye.

For more information on fixtures and results click here.