Na’s big 3 or you’ll be sorry
Despite being winless in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition, Moana Pasifika will be no pushover when they face the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua at Churchill Park, Lautoka, on Saturday.
The Moana Pasifika is coming over to turn the tato bles after their 36-34 loss the Drua in front of their fans at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on February 27.
The Fijians were trailing 34-31 and in the dying moments of the match rookie winger Taniela Rakuro sped past Christian
Lelai’ifano to score the winning points. This broke the hearts of the Moana Pasifika fans. Looking at the Super Rugby stats, nothing much separates the two teams.
A win in Lautoka, is important for both teams. The Drua is after a bonus point win to boost its chances of making the top eight and qualify for the playoffs.
On paper, Moana Pasifika stands a good chance of registering its first win in Lautoka when compared to its final match against the Waratahs.
And if it fails to win either of those games they’ll become the fourth team in Super Rugby history to go through an entire season without winning a game, emulating the Bulls in 2002, the Lions in 2010and Waratahs of 2021.
So, the Drua cannot afford to go in the game underestimating the Moana Pasifika side, they need to keep an eye on these three backline players who are likely to make a difference;
TIMOCI TAVATAVANAWAI
The strong running winger known for his big carries and a hard man to put down. He has the ability to run through tackles. According to the Super Rugby stats, he has beaten 55 defenders, this season and is ranked third on the list. The Drua winger who is assigned to mark Tavatavanawai needs to be on alert at all times. H e should pounce of him whenever he touches the ball.
LEVI AUMUA
Rugby Australia, New Zealand Rugby and Samoa are after this tough centre. It is reported that Aumua has signed with Crusaders for next year and has given his allegiance to New Zealand Rugby. Aumua has a high work rate and makes those strong carries. He will be a threat for the Drua every time he touches the ball.
CHRISTIAN LELAI’IFANO
The veteran first five-eighth is a survivor. He has played 26 Test matches for the Wallabies and has 162 Super Rugby matches under his belt. Lelai’ifano is the Moana Pasifika’s goto-man when the going gets tough. He controls and set-up all their moves. The Drua players need to lock him down at all times and if don’t then they should prepare for the worse.
The strong running winger known for his big carries and a hard man to put down. He has the ability to run through tackles.