Chiefs v Moana Pasifika
Kickoff: 7.05pm Saturday, 24 May
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Moana Pasifika are looking for a previously unthinkable sweep of the New Zealand sides in Super Rugby Pacific.
A win would also lock in a playoff spot for them, at the expense of the Blues side they memorably beat last weekend. Beating the Chiefs won't be easy, considering they have plenty of motivation to get a win too - this would shoot them back up to the top of a very tight ladder and give them an upper hand in the post-season.
Team lists
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Gideon Wrampling
Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Kyren Taumoefolau, 15. Tevita Ofa
Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Allan Craig, 20. Sione Havili Talitui, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Julian Savea, 23. Jackson Garden-Bachop
Chiefs selections
Daniel Rona scores a try for the Chiefs. Photo: Photosport
This is a very strong Chiefs side, especially their loose forward trio of Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker and Wallace Sititi. The only really big name missing is Anton Lienert-Brown, who is out with injury, but the midfield remains very strong, with Quinn Tupaea and Daniel Rona starting. Damian McKenzie will again be the key man to unlock the pace of Emoni Narawa, Leroy Carter and Shaun Stevenson.
Moana Pasifika selections
Solomon Alaimalo gets a start on the wing for Moana Pasifika. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
William Havili is out for Moana, forcing a back-three reshuffle, with Tevita Ofa moving to fullback and Solomon Alaimalo starting on the wing. Other than that, it's an unchanged side to the one that beat the Blues. Matching up to that Chiefs loose forward trio is probably the strongest unit of the Moana side, with Ardie Savea, Miracle Faiilagi and Semisi Tupou-Ta'eiloa starting.
Key stats
Emoni Narawa of the Chiefs scores a try during the Super Rugby Pacific round 7 match between the Chiefs and Moana Pasifika at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand on Saturday April 06, 2024. Copyright photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz
The Chiefs have won all six of their Super Rugby Pacific matches against Moana Pasifika by an average margin of 35 points per game, scoring 52.8 points per game in those six meetings.
Moana Pasifika have won their last three games, their best winning streak. They are ranked sixth on the competition ladder after 14 rounds and have never been ranked higher.
Emoni Narawa has scored a try in three of his last four matches, he's also scored four tries across three career games against Moana.
What they're saying
"They've taken a big step forward and have knocked over heavyweight teams, and you couldn't help but be impressed last week by their performance against the Blues. They have a good, intelligent kicking game, work hard for each other defensively and have a sound set-piece.
"They can launch from all areas. They can defend the deep defensive lines and challenge you." - Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan.
"Defensively, it's going to be a big, big one for us. They pose threats across the park in their pack and their backs are really smart.
"We've got to turn up in all areas of our game and do that for 80 minutes." - Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea.
Last time they met
Chiefs 50 Moana Pasifika 35
Probably the strangest game you'll see this year, the Chiefs were cruising with a 31-7 lead at halftime. It was looking grim for the Savea-less Moana, but a second-half revival, led by a huge bench impact, drew them back within striking distance of actually winning the game.
A try right on fulltime to the Chiefs pushed out the score, but this ended up being very close for comfort.
What's going to happen
This one has the potential to be a tight, kick-heavy affair, as neither side will want to give the other any free visits to the 22. McKenzie and Pellegrini have already proven this year they're more than happy to send the ball high and let their forwards chase after it, so unless the game breaks open early, we'll likely see a bit of that.
Savea and Sititi will be prominent, but it will probably come down to which of the two sides' very good wingers can get into space the most.
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