The Hurricanes will meet Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby for the first time; only once in Super Rugby history have the Canes lost their maiden game against a non-founding team (42-25 v Melbourne Rebels in 2011).
Moana Pasifika has lost each of their two previous Super Rugby Pacific matches so far; they have scored exactly 12 points in each of those games.
- The Hurricanes have won seven of their last eight Super Rugby matches against teams from outside New Zealand (L1); their only defeat in that span was a 12-10 loss to the Brumbies (Round 4,2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman).
- William Havili (Moana Pasifika) has run for 138 kick return metres from 21 kick return carries in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, more than any other player in either category.
- Salesi Rayasi (Hurricanes) has scored six tries across his last six starts in Super Rugby competitions, including a hat-trick in his last game away from home for the Canes.
Match detail
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1.00: PEEEP! We are underway at Mt Smart Stadium.
3.00: A good start for the Kiwis, who have the early momentum.
6.00: TRY! Peter Umaga-Jensen puts Jordie Barrett through a hole, the fullback dances through a couple of defenders to score under the posts. 0-5
7.00: CONVERSION! Barrett converts his score. 0-7
10.00: The penalties are beginning to stack up against the Samoans (four). Hurricanes kick into the 22, but nothing comes from the attack as Moana Pasifika clears.
13.00: The Samoans have only made four carries to 29, but the Hurricanes have turned over the ball four times and made two handling errors, which is why the score is still 7-0 to the Kiwis.
15.00: NO TRY! Aidan Morgan finishes off a sublime attack by the Canes; however, the try is chalked off for a forward pass by Peter Umaga-Jensen to Morgan. 0-7
17.00: Moana Pasifika’s forwards win a free-kick at the scrum allowing them to clear the danger.
19.00: YELLOW CARD! A nine-phase attack ends with a tap-and-go penalty to the Canes, but the Kiwis are held up; however, after the totting up offences, the ref pulls a card from his pocket and sends off the captain Sekope Kepu. Canes opt for a scrum under the posts. 0-7
20.00: Jonathan Taumateine gets a lucky break as the ball rolls out of a messy Hurricanes’ scrum, and the scrumhalf clears.
22.00: Henry Time-Stowers wins an important turnover, and William Havili’s pin-point 50/22 puts the Canes on their 5m.
23.00: TRY! Henry Time-Stowers crashes over from close-range after the Samoans bashed away at the Canes’ line. The number eight’s angled run could not be stopped. 5-7
24.00: CONVERSION! Christian Leali’ifano levels. 7-7
27.00: Another penalty goes against Moana Pasifika, their ninth of the game. Hurricanes opt for another attacking scrum on the opposition’s 5m.
28.00: Once more, the Samoans win the free-kick on a defensive scrum on their line. Leali’ifano clears to his 10m.
29.00: Not straight from Asafo Aumua.
31.00: Superb work at the ruck by the islanders, who win an important penalty after TJ Perenara’s quick-tap.
32.00: Nothing comes of the attack after a knock-on near the Hurricanes’ try line.
34.00: Jason holland’s men have been profligate with the ball in hand. They have conceded 10 turnovers to three despite carrying for 200 metres to 30, with 75% possession and territory.
36.00: Their is lots of problems in the scrum: resets, free-kicks, penalties, and turnovers is killing both teams.
38.00: Another knock-on from Aaron Mauger’s team gives the New Zealanders a good attacking field position.
38.00: YELLOW CARD! Levi Aumua is off because of a dangerous tackle on Wes Goosen. 7-7
39.00: Another sustained attack leads to yet another penalty, the Samoans 13th of the half. Referee Brendon Pickerill gives Kepu a stern talking to.
41.00: Samuel Slade wins an important penalty turnover at the breakdown to the delight of his teammates. Another penalty swiftly follows, but the ball is booted to touch.
The halftime score was Moana Pasifika 7 Hurricanes 7
41.00: PEEEP! We are back underway in South Auckland.
42.00: Wes Goosen failed his first-half HIA, he is replaced by Salesi Rayasi.
44.00: A good start to the second-half by the Samoans, but a knock-on kills a chance at a score.
47.00: Another botched attack inside the Hurricanes’ 22 by Mauger’s charges. Perenara clears to set up an attcking lineout.
50.00: Moana Pasifika survives the counter-attack, winning a scrum that allows them to turn the Canes around. A kicking duel ensues before Perenara wins a turnover and penalty.
52.00: Mauger’s men survives another raid, although, Havili’s penalty is only past his team’s 22.
55.00: Moana Pasifika have done well so far, they have had to make double the tackles (109-43) while having played with 14 men twice. It might come back to bite them in the final quarter, but Mauger will be pleased.
56.00: TRY! Josh Moorby scores on debut after combining with Peter Umaga-Jensen. Barrett and Morgan set up Umaga-Jenson, who sold a dummy before putting Moorby through a hole. The 23-year-old winger stepped William Havili before cutting inside Jonathan Taumateine to dot down. 7-12
57.00: MISS! The kick is wide. 7-12
60.00: We are into the last quarter of an enthralling Super Rugby contest in Auckland. Moana Pasifika beginning to look tired after a mamoth shift tonight.
62.00: YELLOW CARD! The islanders batter the opposition’s try line forcing the Kiwis into several penalties, which leads to Rayasi going to the sin-bin. 7-12
64.00: Great defending by the Canes on their line, the Samoans will be angry with their untidy maul as well as their handling in the red zone; game management has been iffy tonight.
65.00: TRY! Levi Aumua combines with Jonathan Taumateine, whose offload sends the centre down the righthand touchline to level in the corner. 12-12
66.00: MISS! The kick is wide. 12-12
68.00: TRY! The Hurricanes hit back through Alex Fidow after Morgan put Caleb Delany through a big hole. 12-17
69.00: CONVERSION! Ruben Love addss the extars. 12-19
74.00: A lot of pressure coming from the Samoan: Can they level?
77.00: TRY! Henry Time-Stowers carries off the back of the scrum. a good cleanout leads to Solomone Funaki’s pick-and-go to score. 17-19
78.00: CONVERSION! The kick is good. 19-19
82.00: The Samoans survive a tricky period to take the game into Golden Point Extra Time.
FULL TIME
81.00: PEEEP! We are underway in Golden Point Extra Time.
83.00: It’s all Hurricanes as they enter the islander’s 22 after 13 phases. But the ball gets turned over…
84.00: TRY! Sensational score after the turnover as Moana Pasifika counter-attack from their 22 to win the game in thrilling fashion. Tau Koloamatangi stole the ball from Morgan before Danny Toala cleared to halfway. Toala chased his punt, beat all the cover-defenders before booting forward to collect and score a stunning winner. History is made! 24-19
FULL TIME
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The final score is Moana Pasifika 24 (7) Hurricanes 19 (7)
Scorers
Moana Pasifika
Tries – Time-Stowers, L. Aumua, Funaki, Toala
Pen –
Con – Leali’ifano (2)
Drop –
Cards – Kepu (Yellow, 19′), L. Aumua (Yellow, 38′)
Hurricanes
Tries – J. Barrett, Moorby, Fidow
Pen –
Con – J. Barrett, Love
Drop –
Cards – Rayasi (Yellow, 62′)
Match Officials
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 2: Jono Bredin
TMO: Glenn Newman
Teams
Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Tima Fainga’anuku, 13 Levi Aumua, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Neria Fomua, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Henry Time-Stowers, 7 Solomone Funaki, 6 Sione Tu’ipulotu, 5 Samuel Slade, 4 Veikoso Poloniati, 3 Sekope Kepu (captain), 2 Samiuela Moli, 1 Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Replacements: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Joe ‘Apikotoa, 18 Tau Koloamatangi 19 Alex McRobbie, 20 Josh Kaifa, 21 Manu Paea, 22 Lincoln McClutchie, 23 Danny Toala
Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Wes Goosen, 10 Aidan Morgan, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Reed Prinsep (captain), 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Xavier Numia
Replacements: 16 James O’Reilly, 17 Alex Fidow, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Tom Parsons, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cameron Roigard, 22 Ruben Love, 23 Salesi Rayasi
