Fans of Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua are in celebration mode this weekend after their teams put on impressive performances in Round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific.

Moana Pasifika had a thrilling match against the defending champions, the Blues, winning 27-21 in front of 12,000 cheering fans at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday night.

Led by their inspirational captain Ardie Savea, the victory marked a significant moment for Moana as it was their first win against the Blues, keeping alive their hopes of reaching the finals for the first time.

Moana also defeated the Crusaders in Christchurch, topped the Hurricanes and Highlanders during the season, and gave the Chiefs a scare after trailing by 36 at halftime.

Earlier in the day, the Fijian Drua secured a decisive 38-7 win over the Force during their last home game of the season. The win was special for the Drua, as it extended their unbeaten streak at Churchill Park in Lautoka to nine matches. The victory also dashed the Force’s hopes of making the playoffs.

But it was Moana Pasifika, who were the talk of the town. A standout player was winger Kyren Taumoefolau, who scored a hat-trick, helping to turn the game in their favour.

The match started slowly, but as both teams competed fiercely, Moana began to find their rhythm, with flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini's boot the lone score of the first quarter and Taumoefolau scoring just before halftime.

The young Tongan flyer continued to shine, securing the win despite some tense moments and even a yellow card to prop Tito Tuipulotu. His older brother and Blues captain, Patrick, capitalised on Tito's mistake, scoring to add to a penalty try earlier, and extend their lead to 14-11 at halftime

This failed to stop Taumoefolau and Moana Pasifika, as the winger crossed for a big try to start the comeback, aided by Pellegrini's boot, which he kicked four penalties. The Tongan winger cemented his side's lead with a big leap for his second try.

Moana Pasifika fans at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday. Photo/Photosport

A yellow card to Pepesana Patafilo for a tackle on Blues' loose forward Anton Segner, which forced him from the field, handed the defending champions a lifeline.

But Taumoefolau’s third try was the best of the lot. It shut out any thoughts of a comeback, even after a try was denied for a foot in touch several phases before hooker Millennium Sanerivi scored to send the crowd wild.

Number eight Hoskins Sotutu scored late for the Blues, garnering some hope of a late win. But it was Moana Pasifika’s night, as a late try from captain Savea sealed the win and likely secured his status as the Super Rugby Pacific MVP for 2025.

An emotional Savea gave thanks to Jesus, saying, "Without Him, we wouldn't be where we are today.

"I'm proud of the effort by the boys for standing up against a quality Blues' side. Just so happy to get the win," he told SkySport's Jeff Wilson after the historic victory.

"All we need is a little bit of faith, and we let God do the rest. We control what we can control and we letting the rest just happen with the holy spirit."

On his chip-and-chase, Savea says, "I thought we had a penalty advantage and saw no fullback, so I thought I'd give it a crack, but I had to put that away and carry the ball."

Congratulating Moana, losing captain Tuipulotu lamented at his side's performance, saying they had their opportunities, but it was a tough match and a tough result.

"They [Moana] deserved the game today, they were physical in areas that we trained all week, in the breakdown areas, they made us pay. A lot of errors, out of position for us, didn't let us get on our game, just not knowing where to be, tough one to take," he told Sky Sport's Mils Muliaina.

On the losing bonus point, Tuipulotu says," In a table that's pretty tight, it's very valuable for us. It's hard to let it come down to other results, but that's the reality we're in."

Moana Pasifika coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga told Sky Sport, “We worked hard on our defence. We knew where they were coming from. They’re a big group. We knew they were going to get up for the cross-town rivalry.

“We just had to weather the storm. We talked about it a lot; if we could wear them down, we know we can get into the right parts of the field; we can do some magic with the ball in our hands, and you saw that tonight.”

Moana Pasifika Number Eight Miracle Faiʻilagi charges ahead against the Blues' defence. Photo/Photosport

Fitting farewell for departing Drua stars

With several players leaving the Drua, it was a fitting farewell for the team's stars like centre Iosefo Masi, wing Selestino Ravutaumada, flyhalf Caleb Muntz, and possibly captain Tevita Ikanivere.

The bonus-point victory for the Drua was not going to force their way into the playoffs, but the idea was to try and finish on a high note, avoid the wooden spoon, and Saturday's five points will go some way to achieving that.

Ikanivere says it was an outstanding game, as the boys found their rhythm and flow, allowing them to play their style of footy.

"A great team effort. The boys showed up for each other, especially for the fans. It wasn't our best season, but the turnout for today was for our fans, our families, that one was for everybody."

He didn't confirm his moving abroad next season, saying, "Nothing's concrete yet, you might see me again here next year. But it's been a privilege, an honour to be able to play for the Fijian Drua, representing my family and the people of Fiji."

Standout performances came from Drua number eight Elia Canakaivata, who scored two tries and flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, who pulled the strings in his best outing of the season. Canakaivata's efforts earned him the man of the match award.

The Tailevu native, nicknamed 'Ouch Baby' and 'Buffalo' by his team-mates, delivered once again at Churchill Park. He has been the Drua's go-to man, ball carrier, and he deserved his two tries against the Force, his fourth of the season and 10th Super Rugby career.

Still reeling from their loss to the Blues in Suva last week, Canakaivata, who has the most carries in Super Rugby Pacific, says they had to step up against the Force.

"Even though we didn't win last week, we regrouped on Monday and we talked about how we would need to defend Churchill Park and we came out and performed until the last minute," he told a post-match interview.

"It's always been a game-by-game, and my focus has been to perform well at every game."

The Drua now have four wins, two draws, and eight losses for 2025 after a promising start, but they have not been able to win on the road.

Fijian Drua wing Ponipate Loganimasi is tackled during their match against the Force in Lautoka on Saturday. Photo/WorldRugby

It's all over for the Force

The Western Force, unfortunately, faced the reality that their chances of progressing in the tournament were dwindling.

Force centre Sio Tomkinson opened the scoring after just two minutes, but that’s all the visitors could manage as the Drua piled on five unanswered tries.

Force captain Jeremy Williams, playing his 50th match, says it wasn't the result he had wanted, adding that they had all the momentum in the first half, but they couldn't hold on.

"We started the first half well, then they gained the momentum, and we couldn't really get it back with poor discipline," Williams told a post-match interview.

"We turned the ball over too easily, and it's probably the second week in a row that we've done those things. Against a quality side like the Drua, you have got to play well and we didn't."

Moana Pasifika players celebrate as their captain Ardie Savea comes away with the defensive steal metres from the tryline which handed the hosts a penalty and Patrick Pellegrini boots the ball out to signal the end of the match. Photo/Photosport

The competition remains fiercely competitive, and both Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua fans have much to celebrate as they look ahead.

The Force, in ninth place, now head home to regroup and host the NSW Waratahs (8), who the Crusaders crushed (3) 48-33 at home on Friday.

The Drua (10) have a bye next week before travelling to Brisbane to take on the Reds (4), who were defeated 24-14 by the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday, in the final match of the season on 31 May. The Brumbies' win sends them to the top of the table.

Moana Pasifika (6) will face the Chiefs (2) in Hamilton next week before heading to Wellington to take on the Hurricanes (5), who defeated the Highlanders (11) 24-20 on Friday.

The Blues (7) have a break next week before hosting the Waratahs at Eden Park on 31 May.