Ardie Savea reflects on growth and resilience as Moana, Drua end Super Rugby campaign

It was not how Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua would have wanted to end their Super Rugby Pacific 2025 season.

Both teams failed to qualify for next weekend's playoffs. The Fijians were humbled 52-7 by the Queensland Reds on Saturday night in wet and cold conditions at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Moana bowed out earlier in the night with a 64-12 loss to the formidable Hurricanes in Wellington.

Despite the disappointing end to their season, Moana won many admirers during their improved 2025 campaign. They upset established New Zealand teams such as the Hurricanes, Crusaders, Highlanders, and Blues to put themselves in contention for a top-six finish.

Fighting for that coveted sixth spot against the Hurricanes in front of 20,000 fans at Sky Stadium, Moana Pasifika took the lead with a try to Number Eight and star Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, after an intercept by Solomon Alaimalo.

But the Hurricanes quickly asserted dominance, scoring four tries to lead 28-7 at halftime. Peter Umaga-Jensen delivered an outstanding performance for the men in yellow, scoring two tries, including a solo effort.

Moana struggled to respond against this powerful Hurricanes side, ultimately securing a decisive 10-try victory. Moana's captain, Ardie Savea, could not make an impact, scoring only a consolation try.

Saturday's defeat marked Moana's second consecutive loss within two weekends. They fell to the Chiefs 85-7 in Hamilton a week earlier.

Since joining the competition in 2022 alongside the Drua, Moana Pasifika had aimed for a finals berth until the final round. They needed an unlikely bonus-point win over the Hurricanes to qualify, but ultimately finished in seventh place. This was a notable improvement after finishing with two wooden spoons in 2022 and 2023, followed by an 11-place finish last year.

The rugby community is saluting Moana Pasifika and the Drua's remarkable stride in the competitions, especially Moana's best-ever Super Rugby Pacific campaign this year.

Moana Pasifika with family after their final match of the Super Rugby Pacific 2025 season against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday. Photo/Elias Rodriguez/Photosport

The Fijian Drua players react after a Reds try during their Super Rugby Pacific Round 16 match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday. Photo/AAP/Darren England/Photosport

"I want to acknowledge Moana Pasifika and the season they've had, and the inspiration and excitement they brought to our competition," Hurricanes' captain Du'Plessis Ariu Kirifi told Sky Sport.

"You can see now the number of fans and people behind them and what that brings to rugby in New Zealand," he says. "Whether people were here tonight to support us or Moana, it doesn't matter. It's good for New Zealand rugby, the brand of rugby they play, and the values they represent, which we all have in common.

"So real credit to Moana and the things that they're doing on and off the field. They've been a joy to watch this season. There is no doubt about that," Kirifi says.

Inspirational Moana skipper Savea, recently crowned the Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, insists that the team aims even higher. Despite the final score, an emotional Savea reflected on moments that demonstrated their achievements throughout the season, saying he was proud of their efforts.

"Obviously, the score looks blown-out, but I just want to take this time to give glory to the man above," the All Blacks star told Sky Sport. "My brothers are here tonight. Everyone doubted us, but God believed in us.

"These boys came together, we brought people together, and it's fitting, I've come home, a special place for me with the Hurricanes fans and the Moana fans, and it means so much to me, and it's close to my heart.

"But for these boys to come here and do something for New Zealand rugby and the Super Rugby competition, it's a blessing in itself. We're not satisfied. Our goal was to win the thing and make the top six, but that wasn't meant to be."

Savea congratulated the Hurricanes on their win, saying, "Such a quality team, quality men on their team. I hope that they go all the way and win the comp."

Despite the loss, there was still cause for celebration as Savea officially received the inaugural Player of the Year Award for outstanding performance throughout the regular season.

Coaches and captains voted for the opposition players who impressed them the most. Being recognised by peers is among the highest honours a player can receive.

Ardie Savea and his Moana Pasifika team in Wellington. Photo/Elias Rodriguez/Photosport

Jack Mesley, CEO of Super Rugby Pacific, presented the award to Savea. "It gives me great privilege to present this award to Savea.

"It's fitting that we're in Wellington, which has played an important role in Ardie's rugby journey, and we welcome his family, his friends, and his community here.

"The captain of the Moana Pasifika has been absolutely inspirational all season, and it's our great pleasure to award him this award," Mesley says.

Earlier, Hurricanes' prop Tyrel Lomax celebrated his 100th game in Super Rugby and was presented with a taonga from Erin Rush, the Vice President of New Zealand Rugby.

The Australian-born Lomax also played for the Highlanders in Super Rugby. He is the son of former New Zealand (Kiwis) rugby league prop John Lomax.

Hurricanes prop Tyrel Lomax charges ahead against the Moana Pasifika defence in his 100th game of Super Rugby Pacific. Photo/Elias Rodriguez/Photosport

Coach issues challenge for Drua

Meanwhile, Glen Jackson, the head coach of the Fijian Drua, has urged his team to show greater resilience on the road after their most significant Super Rugby Pacific season defeat.

While Iosefo Masi was in the sin-bin during the first half, the Drua conceded three tries in just 10 minutes. The Queenslanders capitalised on this opportunity, scoring three unanswered tries while the centre was off the field.

Saturday's loss marked the Drua's biggest loss in a season where they ended with a 4-10 record and remained winless in Super Rugby Pacific games away from home. But they have been strong at home, defeating the Reds earlier this month and coming within one try of beating the Hurricanes and the Waratahs in their first two away games.

Several key players will be leaving the team, including captain and hooker Tevita Ikanivere, who played his 50th game for the club on Saturday. Masi, an Olympic gold medallist, fullback Selestino Ravutaumada, and flyhalf Caleb Muntz, are also departing for European clubs.

Jackson says player retention is not more challenging for the Drua than for other Australian rugby teams, adding they have the resources to improve in their fifth season next year.

"We have great facilities, great sponsors behind us," he told a post-match interview. "We have got players that when it gets a bit tough, need to fight through that."

Jackson says that while the Drua perform well at home, they often resort to undesirable tactics when playing away. "We are a young club with a proud rugby history, but many of these boys haven't experienced winning away. It's the pressure that continues to build on them.

"It showed that when we had a bit of adversity with a sin-bin, it seemed like the boys switched off."

Reds' coach Les Kiss, who will take over as Wallabies' coach later next year, is confident that the Drua will become a consistent team under Jackson's leadership.

"They're dangerous at any given time, and with very good coaches, they're not far off on a few things, that's for sure," Les told the post-match interview. "That's (winning on the road) what they've got to overcome."

In other weekend results: On Friday, the Chiefs defeated the Highlanders 41-24 in Hamilton, and the Crusaders edged the Brumbies 33-31 in Canberra. On Saturday, the defending champions Blues thrashed the Waratahs 46-6 in Auckland.

Looking ahead to the playoffs next week, the second-placed Crusaders will host the Reds in Christchurch on Friday, while the sixth-placed Blues will travel to Hamilton to face the top-ranked Chiefs on Saturday. The Brumbies will take on the Hurricanes in Canberra later that night.

This story has been updated to state that Hurricanes' flanker Du'Plessis Ariu Kirifi is the team captain and not prop Xavier Numia as reported earlier.