Lotu Inisi returns for Moana Pasifika as Super playoff hopes hang in the balance

This weekend marks the final round of pool games for Super Rugby Pacific, and even with the finals approaching, some playoff spots are still up for grabs.

Moana Pasifika are in a tough spot after a heavy 85-7 loss to top-of-the-table Chiefs last week.

But there's a glimmer of hope: Their star player, Lotu Inisi, is set to make his season debut after recovering from a long injury.

Inisi, Moana's 2024 Forward and Attacking Player of the Year, will join the team on the bench for the all-important match against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday evening, which could decide their chances of making their first playoffs.

Head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga has only made a couple of changes to the lineup from last week.

This includes Julian Savea, a former Hurricane player, who will step in at second five-eighth (12) (which is a position in the backline) to replace the injured Danny Toala (hamstring).

The 26-year-old Inisi, nicknamed Skuxx, has links to Longoteme in Tongatapu and Fangale'ounga in Ha'apai, Tonga, and Falelatai in Sāmoa. He debuted for Moana in 2022 against the Brumbies.

Meanwhile, another former Hurricane and Wellington Lions back, Pepesana Patafilo, is expected to add some energy when he comes off the bench on Saturday.

Sadly, Moana Pasifika has quite a few players sidelined due to injuries, including Alamanda Motuga (shoulder), James Lay (neck), Michael Curry (knee), Neria Fomai (knee/season), Pone Fa'amausili (calf), Sama Malolo (shoulder/season), Sione Havili Talitui (achilles), and William Havili (knee).

Fans in the capital city have been urged to support the teams in this weekend's final round of games. Photo/Alan Lee/Photosport

The final match of the regular season generates a lot of excitement, as many players on both teams know each other well. Fans will get the chance to see familiar faces and thrilling match-ups on the field.

With Moana in sixth place in the standings, a win and a good one are needed against the Hurricanes to overtake the Reds, who are in fifth spot. If the Queenslanders lose to the Fijian Drua in Brisbane on Saturday, Moana could be on their way to a historic finals.

But Umaga's men have the defending champions, the Blues, breathing down their necks. They are in seventh place and equal 28 points with Moana.

The Hurricanes are in fourth place and have already guaranteed a playoff spot. So, there is much to play for - for the Reds, the Blues, and Moana, who are in Wellington this weekend.

Jackson Garden-Bachop, a former Hurricane who will be on the bench, is especially looking forward to returning to Wellington, a place that holds special memories for him.

Garden-Bachop says he's excited about playing against friends from his old team and hopes the local Pacific community will support Moana Pasifika.

"It's exciting. Wellington is a place I love, that's my home," Garden-Bachop says. "I've got a lot of friends in that team, so I'm excited to get down there and put on a good challenge for them.

"There's a big Pasifika community in Wellington, so hopefully they turn out and make some noise for us.

"[The Hurricanes] play a really expansive game. Their defence has been really strong and they've got some real weapons at the breakdown that will try to put us under pressure, so we've got to be on," Garden-Bachop adds.

The Savea brothers, Julian and Ardie, the tournament's Player of the Year and captain, will also return to the capital to play against their old team.

Captain Savea will face his former team for the second time in the starting lineup. He previously won a championship with the Hurricanes in 2016.

It will be do-or-die for Moana Pasifika at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Saturday. Photo/Moana Pasifika

Jonathan Taumateine, another ex-Hurricane, aims to keep up his strong performance as Moana's starting halfback.

On the Hurricanes' side, they have changed their lineup, including moving Brett Cameron to the starting position at first-five-eighth (10) and Ruben Love back to fullback (15). Tjay Clarke will also make his season debut from the bench.

The match between Moana Pasifika and the Hurricanes is set for Saturday, 31 May, at Sky Stadium, Wellington. Kickoff is at 7.05pm (New Zealand time).

In other games this weekend: Friday - Highlanders v Chiefs in Dunedin, Brumbies v Crusaders in Canberra. Saturday: Blues v Waratahs in Auckland and Reds v Fijian Drua in Brisbane.

Teams

Moana Pasifika: Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Julian Savea, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Kyren Taumoefolau, and Tevita Ofa.

Bench: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Allan Craig, Lotu Inisi, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, and Pepesana Patafilo.

Hurricanes: Xavier Numia, Jacob Devery, Tyrel Lomax, Zach Gallagher, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Billy Proctor (co-captain), Bailyn Sullivan, and Ruben Love.

Bench: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Will Tucker, Brad Shields (co-captain), Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova, and Tjay Clarke (debut).