Moana Pasifika carry pride and pressure into Super Round spotlight

Super Rugby Pacific arrives in Christchurch for a blockbuster Super Round but for Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua, the weekend carries far more than just points.

It is about pride, pressure, and the fight to keep Pacific rugby strong on one of the game’s biggest stages.

This ANZAC weekend Super Round sees 10 teams, four days of action, and a brand-new stadium opening its doors for the first time.

But from a Pacific lens, the biggest focus comes at the end of the weekend when Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua take the field, carrying the pride of island rugby into the spotlight.

Sunday belongs to the Pacific.

Moana Pasifika face the Highlanders while the Drua meet the Chiefs in the final match of the round at the new OneNZ Stadium in Te Kaha.

Two teams built on flair, power, and passion will be looking to make a statement on one of the competition’s biggest stages.

Moana Pasifika head into their clash boosted by the return of key young talent Israel Leota on the wing after injury. Midfielder Lalomilo Lalomilo is also returning to the matchday squad.

Super Rugby Pacific lands at the new OneNZ Stadium in Christchurch for Super Round, with all eyes on the Pacific teams closing out a packed weekend. Photo/nzvenues.co.nz

There is also confidence in the pack after a standout showing last week from Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, who delivered a huge defensive and running effort against the Waratahs in Sydney. He keeps his place at number eight.

Front-rower Abraham Pole also continues his strong form while backline speedster Solomon Alaimalo returns to his hometown for a special outing in Christchurch.

They face a Highlanders side anchored by one of the most powerful scrums in the competition, setting up a tough physical battle up front.

Moana head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga says his side continues to adapt through a tough run, backing the mindset of a group that keeps showing up.

“We're a team that's adaptable and we just roll with the punches," he told the media on Friday. "But it does kind of mount up when things can happen back-to-back.

"I have to take my hat off to our group and these boys, they're pretty resilient.”

Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa in action after a standout performance last week, as Moana Pasifika prepare to face the Highlanders. Photo/AAP/Dan Himbrechts/Photosport

Umaga, who is leaving the team at the end of the season to join the All Blacks coaching group, says the focus remains on attitude through difficult moments.

“All we can do is just control what we can control and that is turning up every day with the best attitude that we have in tough times.”

That resilience is grounded in something deeper with Umaga pointing to the Pacific roots that drive the team.

“We take motivation from our people and a lot of the backgrounds, their parents and what they had to go through to get them here. They understand the position they're in.”

With uncertainty still around the club’s future, Umaga says the goal is bigger than just getting by.

“We just want to survive and not just survive. We talk about it. We don't want to be surviving. We've done that and look where we are. We want an opportunity to thrive and that's no different from anybody.”

Moana Pasifika players, led by captain Miracle Faiilagi, regroup ahead of their Super Round meeting with the Highlanders this weekend. Photo/Photosport/Kerry Marshall

In the other Sunday clash, the Fijian Drua take on the Chiefs - one of the form teams in the competition in what shapes as a major test of pace and precision.

All eyes will be on the midfield duel with Chiefs star Quinn Tupaea in top form this season while Drua debutant Maika Tuitubou steps straight into a high-pressure assignment against one of the competition’s best.

Before the Pacific match-ups, the weekend begins with a heavyweight clash on Friday as the Crusaders host the NSW Waratahs in front of a packed Christchurch crowd as both sides push to keep their finals hopes alive.

ANZAC Day brings two more big encounters. The ACT Brumbies take on the Hurricanes in a battle of two sides looking to bounce back before the Blues meet the Reds in a traditional trans-Tasman rivalry that rarely disappoints.

There are key player battles across the round including breakdown duels, forward clashes, and backline speed tests that could shape the finals race.

But as Super Round settles into its new Christchurch home, the story goes beyond just results.

Fijian Drua bring their trademark speed and flair, looking to carry that form into their clash with the Chiefs on Sunday. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

For Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua, it is about representing the Pacific on one of rugby’s biggest domestic stages. They bring identity, energy, and community pride into a weekend packed with talent.

The Western Force from Perth will sit this round out with a bye while injury updates have already forced changes across several squads, adding even more unpredictability heading into kickoff.

As Super Round opens a new chapter at the One NZ Stadium in Christchurch, the final word may well belong to the Pacific: not just for what happens on the field but for what these teams represent beyond it.

For more on Super Rugby Pacific, click here.

TEAMS:

MOANA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Allan Craig, Jimmy Tupou, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Tamateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Glen Vaihu, Tevita Latu, Solomon Alaimalo, Tuna Tuitama, William Havili. Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Paula Latu, Tom Savage, Ola Tauelangi, Augustine Palu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Israel Leota.

HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Soane Vikena, Saula Ma'u, Mitch Dunshea, Tomas Lavanini, Oliver Haig, Veveni Lasaqa, Nikora Broughton, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Xavier Tito-Harris, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Tanielu Tele'a, Jonah Lowe, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Replacements: Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Angus Ta'avao, Te Kamaka Howden, Hugh Renton, Lucas Casey, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson.

Referee: Todd Petrie. Assistant Referee: Angus Mabey, Marcus Playle. TMO: Richard Kelly

DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua (co-captain), Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Isoa Tuwai, Frank Lomani (co-cpt), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Manasa Mataele, Virimi Vakatawa, Maika Tuitubou, Taniela Rakuro, Ilaisa Droasese. Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Isoa Nasilasila, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Inia Tabuavou

CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Brodie McAlister, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i (c), Simon Parker, Jahrome Brown, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Daniel Sinkinson, Quinn Tupaea, Kyle Brown, Leroy Carter, Isaac Hutchison. Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Benét Kumeroa, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Michael Loft, Xavier Roe, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Lalakai Foketi.

Referee: Jordan Way Assistant refs: Angus Gardner, Ben O'Keeffe TMO: Brett Cronan.