Chiefs' Quinn Tupaea scores a try during the Chiefs vs Moana Pasifika, Super Rugby Pacific match at FMG Stadium, Hamilton. Photo: DJ Mills / Photosport
Moana Pasifika fell behind early and suffered in the end as the Chiefs steamrolled them into submission at the FMG Stadium in Hamilton on Friday night, the hosts winning 57-24.
The Chiefs led 14-0 after five minutes from two converted tries and eventually ran in a total of nine tries over the 80-minute battle.
Winger Leroy Carter claimed a hat-trick on the night in front of the Chiefs' die-hard fans.
Moana Pasifika came back strongly in the first spell though, and defended well but the Chiefs just had too much firepower, with the returning Damien McKenzie masterminding the hosts' attacks on the night.
This has been one of the most one-sided match-ups since Moana Pasifika joined Super Rugby. They have lost to the Chiefs by an average margin of 41 points, including an 85-7 defeat last year.
The closest they got was a 35-50 defeat in Pukekohe last year, but that was only after a shocking first half, where they ran in some consolation points.
Unfortunately, their 2026 losing run continued on Friday with 33 points separating the two teams at the end.
Halfback Augstine Pulu debuted for Moana against the team he played for in 2012-2013 and he showed his experience early, claiming a 50/22, winning a turnover ball in a tackle and sending a grubber kick through that almost ended in a late try in the first spell, with replacement Patrick Pellegrini losing the ball near the line.
Losing captain Miracle Fai'ilagi said it was another disappointing game, although he commended new players who made their debut in the clash.
"Disappointing for us," Fai'ilagi told Sky Sport post-match.
"We had our opportunities and we just did not hold on to the ball.
"We talked about staying in the fight and to keep working.
"Chiefs [were] a physical team and we needed to man up in the front and stay in the right end of the field.
"But it was exciting to welcome some of the new boys in the group and give them the opportunity to prove themselves."
Winning captain Tupou Vaa'i said Moana Pasifika gave them a tough challenge and forced the hosts into errors, giving away 16 penalties in the match in total.
But he was happy the side managed to keep their winning record against Moana Pasifika intact.
"We had a clean record against Moana and we wanted to keep it that way," he said.
"We had a good performance but scrappy in the second 20 and part of the first half.
"We just need to trust in the system; we will go back and work on that."
Chiefs head coach Jono Gibbes said the scoreline did not reflect how tough the onfield battle was, commending Moana Pasifika for the challenge they have his players.
First half battle
The Chiefs applied the early pressure from kick off and winger Emoni Narawa's break set up what would eventually end up with their first try.
Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi won the ball from Moana Pasifika's lineout throw and hard-working centre Quinn Tupaea finished off in the corner for the first try of the game.
That was followed by fullback Liam Coombes-Fabling scoring down the same side of the field, and McKenzie's two conversions had the home side leading 14-0 inside five minutes.
Moana Pasifika started their own fightback in the eighth minute, winning two penalties in a row and a Tom Savage line-out finished off with fullback Glen Vaihu scoring near the posts, giving the side a lifeline back into the game. Flyhalf Jackson Garden-Bachop converted for the side to trail 14-7.
Narawa lost the ball in the corner when he dived over but his wing partner Leroy Carter made no mistake when he claimed the Chiefs' third try in the 15th minute.
However Moana number eight Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa picked up from the base of the scrum and ran through the Chiefs' defense to score, following a penalty in front of the posts, with captain Miracle Fai'ilagi opting for a scrum feed.
That gave Moana Pasifika five points to chase in the 20th minute.
But Moana Pasifika lost two consecutive lineouts on the go, stopping their momentum.
The Chiefs turned defense into attack and Narawa finally got his try, with McKenzie kicking the extra two points for a 26-14 lead.
Former Wallaby Lalakai Foketi went over in the 32nd minute in the corner, as the Chiefs headed to the break leading 31-14.
Chiefs overdrive
The second half started well for Moana Pasifika and Tailoa claimed his second try of the night when he went over in the 43rd minute.
Carter, replacement Kyle Brown, and Tyrone Thompson then added their names to the scoresheet pushing the Chiefs further ahead to 57-19 towards the last quarter of the game.
Carter scored three tries in the end.
Moana Pasifika started another fightback in the last 20 minutes and camped inside the Chiefs' 22-metre zone.
With replacements players taking the field, the tempo rose for the North Harbour side and replacement halfback Joel Lam set up winger Tevita Ofa who went over for his side's fourth try of the night just before fulltime.
That reduced the deficit to 33 points, as the Chiefs claimed a win at home while Moana Pasifika saw their record so far go to 3-1 with only one win from four games so far.
The Waratahs hosted the Hurricanes in the second game of Friday night.
Saturday's matches will see the Highlanders take on the Western Force in Dunedin, the Blues host the Crusaders at Eden Park and the Brumbies face the Reds.
