Super Rugby Pacific preview: Top-of-the-table clash in Wellington, spotlight on Waratahs teenage sensation

David Skippers
Super Rugby Pacific Preview Round 8 image 2023.jpg

Making its return, we bring you Super Rugby Pacific’s Round Eight preview, in which we look at the main talking points ahead of this weekend’s games.

This week’s action is truncated as four teams – the Crusaders, Blues, Highlanders and Rebels – all have byes which means only four fixtures are scheduled to take place.

Games to watch

Moana Pasifika v Reds

After losing all seven of their previous matches played in Super Rugby Pacific so far this year, Moana Pasifika will be in a desperate mood when they face the Reds in Apia on Friday.

Moana have it all to do as they are bringing up the rear in the tournament’s standings with just two points amassed on the table and they are six points adrift of their nearest rivals, the Waratahs, who have played one match less.

Although they are the only winless team left in the tournament, Moana have been competitive in most of their matches but their biggest weakness is their inability to put together an 80 minute performance. Just last week, they went to Christchurch to take on the Crusaders and held a 21-17 lead at half-time but capitulated in the second period and eventually suffered a 38-21 defeat.

Aaron Mauger’s troops are up against a Reds side who are also feeling the pressure as they have won just two out of seven matches played this year and are currently on a four-match losing streak.

Just like Moana, the Brisbane-based outfit are equally desperate for a win as they suffered a humiliating 52-24 home loss to the Brumbies last weekend.

Brad Thorn’s charges will fancy their chances of returning to the victory trail as they are up against the bottom-placed team in the competition.

However, that is easier said than done as Friday’s match will take place in Apia – the first time this season that Moana will play a home match outside New Zealand – and with a capacity crowd expected to cheer on the hosts, this should be a tricky assignment for the Reds.

Hurricanes v Chiefs

Expect fireworks when the tournament’s table-topping and in-form teams face off in what should be a highly entertaining New Zealand derby in Wellington on Saturday.

The Hurricanes and Chiefs are sitting pretty at the top of the standings on 27 points apiece, with the home side occupying first spot by virtue of a superior points difference over the men from Hamilton.

However, the Chiefs are the only unbeaten team left in the competition and have played one fewer match than the Hurricanes, who already have seven games under the belt for the season.

As the home side, the Hurricanes will be highly motivated to continue with their fine form as they are chasing their fifth win in a row this weekend – something which they have not achieved since 2020.

Jason Holland’s charges started their campaign with back-to-back away victories against the Reds and Rebels before suffering a home defeat to the Blues. Following that, it’s been plain sailing for the ‘Canes as they registered those four successive wins over the Waratahs, Moana Pasifika, the Western Force and Highlanders.

They are up against a Chiefs side who will be in a confident mood as they have hit the ground running with six victories in a row.

Clayton McMillan’s side come into this encounter refreshed after they had a bye last week. The Chiefs have set the bar very high during the tournament’s early rounds as they have proven to be a difficult team to break down in their victories over the Crusaders, Moana, Highlanders, Rebels, Waratahs and Blues.

Last year’s match between these teams was a nail-biting affair with the result in the balance until the game’s dying moments and we expect it to go down to the wire again.

Player to watch – Max Jorgensen (Waratahs)

The Waratahs might be struggling near the foot of the table but it’s not due to a lack of effort from Jorgensen, who has caught the eye with several outstanding attacking performances.

Although he is just 18 years old, Jorgensen has taken like a duck to water at this level and proven a real handful to opposing defences when he has ball in hand.

Comfortable on the wing or at full-back, he had the option of playing rugby league for the Sydney Roosters but rejected the NRL outfit to join the Waratahs. He made an immediate impression by scoring a brace of tries earlier this year in his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Brumbies in Round One.

Adding to that, Jorgensen also showed his class with a spectacular finish against the Hurricanes in Round Five and his superb form has caught the attention of Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones, who named the youngster in a 33-man squad for a three-day training camp later this month on the Gold Coast.

Jorgensen will be in action when the Waratahs host the Western Force in Sydney on Saturday and don’t be surprised if he makes a big impact in this clash as the home side try to end a four-match losing streak.

One-v-one battle to watch – Rob Valetini (Brumbies) v Joseva Tamani (Fijian Drua)

There should be plenty of thrilling action when the Brumbies host the Fijian Drua in Canberra on Friday and the duel between Valetini and Tamani will be one of the highlights of this fixture, as both have made their mark with some excellent performances in the earlier rounds.

Valetini is a powerhouse back-row who has been in excellent form for the Brumbies this year. A powerful ball carrier who enjoys the physical nature of the game the Wallaby is sure to test the Drua’s defence with some barnstorming runs, if the Brumbies forwards manage to lay a solid platform up front.

Equally adept in the execution of his defensive duties, the Wallaby is crucial to the Brumbies cause but he faces a tough adversary in Tamani, who has shone for the Drua during their earlier matches.

The 26-year-old is blessed with a brilliant skill-set and his ability to offload in the tackle makes him a genuine threat to the Brumbies defence, while he knows his way to the try-line and is also a handy option at back of the lineout.

Tamani knows that Valetini is one of the best back-rowers in the competition and he will have to hit the ground running if the Drua want to cause an upset in Canberra.

Subplot to watch – There could be a change at the top of the try-scorer’s chart

Although they are not direct opponents, that match in Wellington will see Salesi Rayasi of the Hurricanes and the Chiefs’ Shaun Stevenson battling it out to cross the whitewash as both are already amongst the leading try-scorers in Super Rugby Pacific 2023.

The Chiefs star is currently sitting in joint top spot – along with the Crusaders’ Leicester Fainga’anuku and Jordan Petaia of the Reds – with seven five-pointers to his name while Rayasi is in second position – alongside Mark Telea of the Blues and the Reds’ Josh Flook – after scoring six tries.

Stevenson made a superb start to the competition as he was setting the pace during the early stages of the competition but Rayasi closed the gap last week after he scored two tries in the Hurricanes’ win over the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Meanwhile, don’t rule out Petaia, who, despite the Reds’ struggles has impressed on attack and quietly crept up the charts and is now sitting pretty with Stevenson and Fainga’anuku in pole position. The Wallaby speedster will fancy his chances of adding to his try tally against a Moana side who have already conceded 46 tries in this year’s tournament.

Stevenson, Rayasi and Petaia are all outstanding finishers and don’t be surprised if either one of them cross the whitewash again this weekend.

READ MORE: Hurricanes: Dane Coles drops to bench for milestone match against Chiefs

Brumbies Joseva Tamani Max Jorgensen Rob Valetini Salesi Rayasi Shaun Stevenson

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