'More than a game': Ardie Savea says Drua defeat a celebration of Pacific brotherhood

Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea says Saturday’s victory over the Fijian Drua “is more than just a game of rugby”.

This comes as Moana secured their fourth win of the Super Rugby Pacific season, defeating the Drua 34-15 in Auckland. The round 11 match was billed as the ‘Battle of the Pacific'.

The Fijians came into the game off an impressive outing against the Waratahs a week earlier, winning 28-14 at home, while Moana were humbled 24-0 by the Brumbies in Pukekohe.

Both teams were desperate for victory. The Drua arrived in New Zealand with a 4-1 record against the Moana.

But Savea says that Pacific rugby was the winner in the end, adding that the match was about more than rugby.

“You see the Pacific brothers going to battle. You see the crowd,” the 31-year-old All Blacks star told a post-match interview. “We’re celebrating Pacific and I’m just honoured and blessed to be out here today.”

The win was crucial for Moana, keeping their finals hopes alive as they took down a strong Fijian side that had previously been undefeated against them.

Savea’s side delighted the home crowd at North Harbour Stadium with some exciting play, especially in the second half.

It was the best 60 minutes of rugby that Moana had played this season, with Savea leading his troops from the front. Savea is also leading the competition in player of the year points.

Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea dives over for a try but it was disallowed moments later. Photo/Brett Phibbs

The Drua enjoyed early territory and possession but had little luck converting that into points.

This allowed Moana Pasifika to weather the storm and eventually score the opener in the 25th minute through inside back Danny Toala, who scored after a well-coordinated team effort. Toala started and finished the move as the backline combined superbly for Toala to dive over after centre Lalomilo Lalomilo’s strong burst.

They quickly added two more tries to take a commanding lead by halftime, thanks to flanker Miracle Fai’ilagi and No.8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa. Fai’ilagi had a second try after the break as the hosts looked to run away with the game.

The Drua struggled to convert their early possession into points. The game opened up in the second half, and they managed to score with a try from former captain Tevita Ikanivere to keep his side in the match. The replacement hooker raced away for the Fijians’ first points.

But Savea almost brought the crowd to their feet with a spectacular play, but it was his brother Julian who extended their lead with a try soon after.

The Savea brothers looked to steady the ship, with Ardie nearly producing the try of the year when the flanker kicked for himself and re-collected, only for the All Blacks superstar to be brought back for a mistake in the build-up.

Julian dived over untouched in the corner two minutes later. It was his 63rd Super Rugby try, two behind Hurricanes and All Blacks legend TJ Perenara and one behind Crusaders wing Sevu Reece.

Moana did not let the Fijians get back into the game. They held off the visitors to score two tries with less than 20 minutes to go.

Taniela Rakuro hit instantly back when the ball was fumbled just after the kick-off, and the winger showed his pace to keep the Drua in the game.

The visitors kept the pressure on, but in the end, Moana Pasifika stood up when it mattered as winger Tevita Ofa sealed the win and maximum points with three minutes to go.

The victory moves Moana into eighth place in the standings, just a point behind the NSW Waratahs.

Reflecting on the match, Ardie says he was proud of his team’s first-half performance, which laid the groundwork for their victory.

Moana Pasifika's Julian Savea scores a try against the Fijian Drua. Photo/Brett Phibbs

He also enjoyed playing alongside Julian in the same team, highlighting the strong family spirit within Moana.

“We weathered the storm right at the beginning, and the Drua were playing their game. It was a great effort by the boys in the first 20 to hold them out.

“We started scoring points and playing our game, and that’s what I am most proud of.”

On his brother coming on in the second half and scoring a try in the left corner where he was earlier denied, Ardie says, “Look, I’m just happy that we scored a try.

“It was a back-and-forth game, and for us, it was about committing the points, putting on the points, and putting more pressure on the Drua brothers.”

Playing for the first time together with Julian in the Moana colours, Ardie says, “It’s always special when you’re playing with your brother.

“But you know, I’ve got 23 other brothers next to me as well, and that’s the culture within this team. We’re family. It’s awesome to play alongside Julian, and that’s another one we can tick off.”

Moana have a tough run home now, with four rounds to go. They will travel to Dunedin to face the Highlanders next Sunday after the South Islanders were crushed by the Crusaders 43-10 on Saturday.

As for the Fijian Drua, they face a hefty fight to get off the bottom of the ladder after their eighth loss of the year, much of it on the road.

They will need to win their remaining matches to have any hope of making the playoffs, as they continue to search for their first win away from home this season.

With their season likely, they will also need to score maximum points and keep the opposition out of a seven-point difference bonus point.

A disappointed Drua captain and hooker Mesulame Dolokoto says it was a tough match, given they came into the game against the Moana on a high after defeating the Waratahs.

Fijian Drua wing Selestino Ravutaumada on the attack against Moana Pasifika in Melbourne in March 2024. The Fijians won 39-36. Photo/Raghavan Venugopal

“It’s always tough with our brothers, Moana Pasifika. They came out firing in the first half. Credit to our boys, we came back in the second half, but it wasn’t enough. We’ll go back and regroup and come back better next week.

“Our execution was that we threw a lot of 50-50 balls and passes, which didn’t go our way. For next, we will need to go back and try and hold onto the ball more, through phases which will come up good for us.”

Dolokoto thanked the fans for coming out: “Massive, massive vinaka vakalevu to the Drua fans who came out today - always following us where we go and where we play.

“We have fans here, fans at home. Vinaka vakalevu to everyone. We really appreciate the support, and we’ll try to get the win for you guys next week when we go again.”

And that will be no easy feat as the Drua host the Reds, who are running hot after a dominating performance against the defending champions, the Blues, in Brisbane on Saturday, winning 35-21.

Moana and the Drua players gathered to sing hymns after the game.

In other results this weekend, the top-of-the-table Chiefs ran riot over the Force 56-22 in Hamilton and the Hurricanes held off the Brumbies in Canberra 35-29.

In round 12, the Blues host the Force on Friday, while Saturday will see the Drua take on the Reds in Suva, the Hurricanes face the Chiefs in Wellington, and the Brumbies and Waratahs battle in Canberra.

Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Fine Inisi, 13 Lalomilo Lalamilo, 12 Danny Toala, 11 Fine Inisi, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Samuel Slade, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu.
Replacements: 16 Tomasi Maka, 17 Monu Moli, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Allan Craigm, 20 Sione Havili Talitui, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Julian Savea

Fijian Drua: 15 Vuate Karawelavu, 14 Taniela Rakuro, 13 Inia Tabuavou, 12 Isikeli Rabitu, 11 Ponipate Longanimasi, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Kitione Salawa, 7 Motikiai Murray, 6 Etonia Waqa, 5 Leone Rotuisolia, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samu Tawake, 2 Mesulame Dolokoto (captain), 1 Peni Ravai.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Meli Tuni, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Elia Canakaivata, 21 Leone Nawai, 22 Kemu Valetini, 23 Selestino Ravutaumada.