Super Rugby Pacific: Moana Pasifika and Blues name much-changed sides for Tuesday’s clash
Moana Pasifika will be looking to back up their historic first Super Rugby Pacific win when they take on the Blues at Mt Smart Stadium on Tuesday.
With their fixture schedule congested, coach Aaron Mauger has opted for wholesale changes for the match, with eleven alterations made to the side.
Manu Samoa’s Jack Lam will become the first Samoan to lead Moana Pasifika as he starts at number eight. Scrum-half Ereatara Enari is vice captain.
Re-arranged game
There’s also run-outs for loosehead Abraham Pole, Luteru Tolai at hooker and Joe ‘Apikotoa, who makes a first start at tighthead prop this Tuesday.
Behind that trio in the second-row is Michael Curry and Xavier Cowley-Tuioti, while Penitoa Finau and Alamanda Motuga join Lam in the back-row.
The Moana fly-half will be Lincoln McClutchie and he’ll have Henry Taefu and Fine Inisi, who gets his first start, outside him as the midfield pairing.
On the wings will be Anzelo Tuitavuki and Tomasi Alosio while Manu Samoa’s D’Angelo Leuila completes the starting line-up in the full-back position.
The replacements includes props Suetena Asomua and Chris Apoua and there is also a place for former Blues and Hurricanes player Lolagi Visinia.
Meanwhile, the Blues are without Akira Ioane, Harry Plummer, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Beauden Barrett, Josh Goodhue for this re-arranged match.
Both these sides are looking at three fixtures in eight days and it’s therefore no surprise to see the Blues make many changes to their starting line-up.
Luke Romano will captain the side and is joined in the second-row by Sam Darry, with Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala and Ricky Riccitelli the front-row.
The back-row sees Taine Plumtree, Adrian Choat and Anton Segner link up, while Taufa Funaki will join Stephen Perofeta as their half-back pairing.
Tanielu Tel’ea and Tamati Tua are at centre and completing the XV in the back three will be Mark Telea, AJ Lam and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepens.
The teams:
Moana Pasifika: 15 D’Angelo Leuila, 14 Tomasi Alosio, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Anzelo Tuitavuki, 10 Lincoln McClutchie, 9 Ereatara Enari, 8 Jack Lam (c), 7 Alamanda Motuga, 6 Penitoa Finau, 5 Xavier Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Michael Curry, 3 Joe ‘Apikotoa, 2 Luteru Tolai, 1 Abraham Pole
Replacements: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Suetena Asomua, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Alex McRobbie, 20 Josh Kaifa, 21 Manu Paea, 22 Solomone Kata, 23 Lolagi Visinia
Blues: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepens, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Tamati Tua, 12 Tanielu Tele’a, 11 AJ Lam, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Taufa Funaki, 8 Anton Segner, 7 Adrian Choat, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Luke Romano (c), 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Alex Hodgman
Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Josh Fusitua, 18 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 19 Cameron Suafoa, 20 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Corey Evans, 23 Jock McKenzie
Date: Tuesday, March 29
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 19:05 local (07:05 BST, 06:05 GMT)