Moana running out of answers after another heavy Hurricanes defeat at home

Moana Pasifika are running out of answers in the closing weeks of their Super Rugby Pacific Championship after suffering another heavy defeat.

This time it was a 50-17 loss to top-of-the-table Hurricanes in Auckland on Saturday.

Once again left searching for solutions, captain Miracle Faiilagi did not hide his frustration after the match, saying there was no hiding from the team’s struggles.

Moana Pasifika are set to exit Super Rugby Pacific after this season, the club’s owners, Pasifika Medical Association (PMA), announced last month after five years in the elite competition.

Moana CEO Debbie Sorensen told PMN Tonga that the decision came after severe financial, operational, and structural unviability.

Despite the off-field uncertainty surrounding the club, Faiilagi told SkySport, performances on the field still need to improve.

Prop Siale Lauaki of the Wellington Hurricanes. Photo/Brett Phibbs/Photosport

Faiilagi was at a “loss of words” after the Hurricanes’ hiding, saying “we have to turn up every week”.

The loss to the competition leaders was Moana’s second defeat to the Wellington side this season.

It also followed a familiar pattern for Moana Pasifika, who have now lost 11 straight games and sit at the bottom of the ladder.

Moana Pasifika. Photo/Brett Phibbs/Photosport

Saturday’s scoreline showed a clear gap with the Hurricanes scoring eight tries to Moana’s three but the contest was not one-way for the full 80 minutes.

Moana finished with 53 per cent of territory and had periods of strong pressure, particularly late in the match when they held more of the ball and pushed into the Hurricanes’ half.

There were also positives in their set piece with a perfect scrum record showing stability under pressure. But 17 turnovers again proved costly and exposed their biggest issue - the inability to stay consistent for the full 80 minutes.

Hurricanes captain Du’Plessis Kirifi admitted Moana’s physical approach made them a real threat in the opening stages.

“We knew Moana are a big side, and that first 20 minutes is their strength,” Kirifi said in a post-match interview.

That early strength was on show again with Moana staying in the contest through the first half and trailing 19-5 at halftime.

But as has been the case too often this season, the second half saw the match slip away as the Hurricanes lifted their intensity and execution.

Moan did show attacking spark at times. Winger Tuna Tuitama crossed for a double, while Israel Leota also found the line.

But the Hurricanes’ backline was far more clinical when chances came. Winger Josh Moorby was the standout performer scoring four tries in place of teammate Fehi Fineanganofo.

Faiilagi said the message throughout the game was simple especially in wet conditions where control of the ball was crucial. “Treasure the ball,” he said.

Those “small details”, he said, remain the difference between competing and falling away in matches.

With just two matches remaining in what could potentially be their final season in the competition, Moana Pasifika now head into a round 14 bye before hosting the Queensland Reds at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday, 23 May. Kickoff is at 4.35pm (NZT).

For more information on the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Championship, click here.