Moana Pasifika head coach Aaron Mauger says his facet are in full help of the Fijian Drua as they go searching for their second Tremendous Rugby Pacific win this weekend.
Moana Pasifika and the Drua are the 2 growth franchises that joined the new-look version of Tremendous Rugby this yr, with each groups offering the competitors with its first illustration of the Pacific Islands.
With the Drua unable to play at their residence base of Suva of their debut season as a consequence of Covid restrictions, the Mick Byrne-based facet have arrange store in Australia, the place they’ve been enjoying the 5 Australian franchises to open their marketing campaign.
What it’s like being the one non-Fijian participant on the Fijian Drua | Aotearoa Rugby Pod
What it’s like being the one non-Fijian participant on the Fijian Drua | Aotearoa Rugby Pod
They’ve executed so with a level of success, selecting up their first win within the competitors in opposition to the Melbourne Rebels a fortnight in the past earlier than virtually salvaging a dramatic comeback win over the Reds in Brisbane final week.
These outcomes go away the Drua in good stead forward of their conflict with the Western Power in Sydney on Saturday, and are in stark distinction to how Moana Pasifika have fared up to now.
Each of Moana Pasifika’s first two matches of the marketing campaign had been postponed as a consequence of a Covid outbreak inside their squad, whereas additional outbreaks in opposition squads have compelled the postponement of their two most up-to-date fixtures as nicely.
As such, Mauger’s facet have performed just one match this season, falling to a 33-12 defeat by the hands of the Crusaders in a match the place they impressed with their competitiveness after being tipped by many to endure a heavy loss.
That consequence bodes nicely for his or her possibilities in opposition to the Chiefs at Mt Good Stadium in Auckland on Saturday, the second of eight straight matches Moana Pasifika will play in opposition to New Zealand groups to open their inaugural season.
Moana Pasifika’s run of fixtures in opposition to Kiwi sides mirrors that of the Drua’s in opposition to Australian opposition, and till they face one another in Sydney on Might 14, Mauger stated his facet are staunch supporters of their fellow Pacific Island newcomers on the other facet of the Tasman.
“I believe with them being in a unique convention, it’s arduous to actually evaluate in numerous situations, and their journey’s been a little bit bit totally different to ours, clearly by way of the primary 4 weeks of the competitors, however from a supporter perspective, we’re in proper behind them,” Mauger advised media on Friday.
“[They’re] clearly a part of our lovely moana, the Pacific, so the boys have been proper in behind them and connecting with fairly a number of of their gamers.
“The staffs know one another, the teaching teams have been actually impressed and actually loved watching them get their first win final week, so want all of them the very best for the remainder of the comp and stay up for enjoying them in a while within the yr.”
That sentiment was echoed by Moana Pasifika midfielder Levi Aumua, who’s of Samoan and Fijian heritage and is worked up by the prospect of the 2 Pacific Island franchises squaring off in just below two months’ time.
“Simply from watching them, they undoubtedly play some actually quick footy and a few razzle in there too, so assume it’ll be an excellent conflict of those two groups in Tremendous Rugby Pacific,” he stated.
Aumua additionally expressed his eagerness to play at Mt Good Stadium for the primary time this season after leaving Moana Pasifika’s momentary Queenstown base for the primary time in additional than a month earlier this week.
With Moana Pasifika set to be based mostly at Mt Good Stadium – reasonably than Samoa or Tonga – till no less than 2028, the match might be historic within the sense that will probably be the franchise’s first actual residence sport.
The event will go forward with out followers beneath New Zealand’s present pink mild Covid setting, however Aumua remained upbeat in regards to the likelihood to play Moana Pasifika’s first common season match at their residence floor.
“Clearly simply being recent again to Auckland, already the boys’ vitality ranges are by way of the roof, and to play again at our residence floor is tremendous particular. Only a bit unlucky that we are able to’t have our supporters there.”
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