Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes

1 Abraham Pole
2 Samiuela Moli
3 Suetena Asomua
4 Samuel Slade
5 Mike McKee
6 Solomone Funaki
7 Alamanda Motuga
8 Lotu Inisi
9 Ereatara Enari
10 Christian Lealiifano
11 Anzelo Tuitavuki
12 Henry Taefu
13 Levi Aumua
14 Tima Fainga’anuku
15 William Havili

16 Ray Niuia
17 Ezekiel Lindnemuth
18 Chris Apoua
19 Potu Leavasa
20 Miracle Faiilagi
21 Manu Paea
22 D’Angelo Leuila
23 Fine Inisi

Unavailable due to injury: Sekope Kepu (achilles), Jack Lam (ankle), Penitoa Finau (foot), Jonathan Taumateine (hamstring), Alex McRobbie (shoulder), Michael Curry (neck).

Moana Pasifika to host the Hurricanes in rematch of historical clash – Moana Pasifika

mikey07

@Stargazer That midfield could cause some headaches I’m thinking.

Stargazer

Again no game time for McClutchie. Mauger seems to prefer to name big midfielders in the reserves and to go without a reserve 10 on the bench, this season. While Havili can cover 10, none of the other backs or reserves play regularly at fullback. That's why it's surprising that Danny Toala isn't in the 23, who can easily shift to the back. Leuila will probably be the one to be used as 10 and/or 15 cover, but he's no specialist and not very quick either.

ACT Crusader

@Stargazer Lilo can play fullback

Stargazer

@ACT-Crusader Who?

ACT Crusader

@Stargazer said in Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes:

@ACT-Crusader Who?

Christian Lealiifano - Lilo for short

Stargazer

@ACT-Crusader I was talking about 10 cover: Havili can shift to 10, if needed. If it's needed, than obviously Leali'ifano won't go to fullback. Context.

ACT Crusader

@Stargazer said in Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes:

@ACT-Crusader I was talking about 10 cover: Havili can shift to 10, if needed. If it's needed, than obviously Leali'ifano won't go to fullback. Context.

You mentioned in your earlier post that no other players regularly play fullback and all I said was that Lilo has played there.

And for what it’s worth I think he’s a decent fullback as well as 10. Before his surgery he was a good 2nd 5 also.

mikey07

@Stargazer Same problems different Franchise..

Stargazer

@ACT-Crusader My earlier post was about not having a 10 in the reserves and that Havili can cover 10 (if Leali'ifano gets injured, for example). But if Havili shifts to 10, you need another fullback. That's what my post was about.

ACT Crusader

@Stargazer said in Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes:

@ACT-Crusader My earlier post was about not having a 10 in the reserves and that Havili can cover 10 (if Leali'ifano gets injured, for example). But if Havili shifts to 10, you need another fullback. That's what my post was about.

D’Angelo is a 1st 5 though and he’s on the bench. I’m pretty sure he’s played fullback too.

KiwiMurph

@ACT-Crusader I was gonna say - didn't Waikato win the 2021 NPC Premiership with Leuila at 10?

Bovidae

@KiwiMurph said in Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes:

@ACT-Crusader I was gonna say - didn't Waikato win the 2021 NPC Premiership with Leuila at 10?

Yes, he's a 10/12. Leuila did play at fullback in a game for MP last year, but is less suited to that position. Like the other teams, Mauger is giving all his squad a run.

Winger

@Crucial

Happy with Lakai being given another game at 7 with savea at 8, the locking combo of IWL and Bird, Flanders being given time at 6 (he will never be an AB but is a very skillful player) and Naholo another game on the wing. And the combo of Roigard and Cameron has been kept

Mysteries is why is Higgins not starting at 2nd 5. Not even in the reserves. This is odd after having such a good NPC and looking so promising. It would ahve been so easy to give Savea a rest and Higgins either starting or a reserve

And it seems that PRS is on the outer now

The Silver Fern

Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes

Hurricanes named to take on Moana Pasifika on Saturday