Moana Pasifika players determined to deliver 80-minute performance in Wellington

Moana Pasifika are bracing for a physical game against the Hurricanes this week, as they battle for a spot in the top eight of Super Rugby Pacific.

The side currently sit at tenth place, and are three points behind the Fiji Drua who are eighth on the table.

Moana Pasifika hooker Sama Malolo says it’s important the side sticks to their “good habits” on the field to help them win the game.

“(Our work ethic) is important every week, and definitely important for us this week - we just did a massive review on it, and the game the Canes will bring and how they will try to dominate us physically.

“So the work ethic to get set on the line, come off the line and just bang for 80 minutes is going to be important for us this week.”

Both sides are coming off a loss, Moana were crushed by the Chiefs last week while the Hurricanes were beaten against the Blues in a top of the table clash.

Malolo says the side have closely observed the Brumbies and Blues style of play against the Hurricanes, two sides who were successful in toppling the Wellington side.

“Their power game is their strength, they’ve got good ball carrying forwards, they’re really technical in the breakdown. Getting there early and getting fast ball.

“I thought the Brumbies did that very well to them, they had very strong carries up front with their forwards. If we take a little bit out of that book, and all the boys can bar up for 80 minutes and dominate that physicality at the breakdown and our carries I think we’ll be alright.”

Win or lose this week, Moana will need back-to-back wins against the Waratahs and Crusaders to keep their finals hopes alive. Moana have yet to make a finals appearance in their three seasons.

Moana captain Sione Havili-Talitui says there has been a huge improvement in effort from the team.

“So far, this year has been good to us, we’ve made a lot of improvements compared to the last two years. The feeling around the group is good, there’s a lot of excitement and laughs.

“We’re still in the fight to make the top eight, so we’ve got an opportunity this week against the Canes - the top of the table, so hopefully we give them a good go.”

Havili-Talitui says the team's “self-belief” is still consistent this late in the season.

“In our reviews we talked about throughout the week to keep believing in each other, we spoke about the first couple games we won. We know we can do it, and we go day by day.

“We make sure we make the most of our days when we come in, take the learnings and keep getting better every day.

“We’ve got another opportunity this week against the Canes.”