Moana Pasifika’s rise massive, says Wallabies great

[Pelican Press 0]

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Moana Pasifika’s rise massive, says Wallabies great

Whether they play Super Rugby Pacific finals or not, inaugural Moana Pasifika captain Sekope Kepu has declared the season a triumph for the Ardie Savea-led side.

Moana play the biggest match in their four-year history when they face Savea’s former side, the Hurricanes, in a must-win game on Saturday.

They currently hold the sixth and final play-offs spot but could be overtaken by the Blues or the NSW Waratahs.

With All ******* superstar Savea signing on to honour his Samoan heritage, Moana have already banked six wins this season to eclipse their previous win record of four.

In their first two seasons they only managed a total of three.

Coached by New Zealand great Tana Umaga, they have taken the scalps of the defending champion Blues for the first time, as well as victories over the Hurricanes, Waratahs, Crusaders, the Highlanders and the Fijian Drua.

That win-record makes the season already a success, according to retired Wallabies great Kepu, who led the team in their first season in 2022.

“From year one, where we won one game … this year, beating a lot more New Zealand teams, there’s been improvements every year, and it’s already a win in my books,” the 39-year-old said.

“They’ve won six games, beat the Blues, it’s been massive.

“It’s just nice to see them start to bear some of that fruit and put pressure on teams and get wins over the teams that they weren’t expected to beat and it will continue to grow.

Such has been loose forward Savea’s contribution that with an unbeatable lead he was declared Super Rugby Pacific player of the season with two rounds to play.

Former tighthead Kepu, who played 110 Tests, said 2023 World Player of the Year Savea led by example and made players around him better.

“Talking to them, he’s inspired a lot of those guys and having him in there has just been special for the group,” said Kepu, who was last week announced as an assistant coach for the historic First Nations & Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the touring Lions in July.

“The way he’s led the team has been unbelievable and it’s been unreal to watch their progress.

“The boys, they see a leader, and they follow him and some of those guys I’ve watched develop – Miracle Fai’ilagi and Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa – they’ve just been phenomenal as a backrow and they just follow the leader.”

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