WRAP: Moana Pasifika recorded their second consecutive win, beating the Waratahs 45-28 in Auckland.

The Waratahs were in control for the majority of the game, taking a 21-7 lead into the break.

However, the hosts blew away the Waratahs with a remarkable performance in the second half.

They scored six second-half tries as tight-head prop Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou scored a hat-trick.

It’s the first time Moana Pasifika have won back-to-back games in Super Rugby Pacific.

An attacking masterclass from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii had the Waratahs on track for an elusive first away win of the season before the hosts piled on 38 second-half points to run away with victory on Saturday.

Coach Dan McKellar will be livid after the Tahs defied his orders to man up in D after a similar surrender last week in a 57-12 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington.

After taking a 21-7 lead to the break, then again stretching their advantage to 14 points with a Teddy Wilson try, the Waratahs collapsed at North Harbour Stadium.

The Pasifika ran in five tries in a devastating 15-minute spell, with prop Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou completing his hat-trick before flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini, fullback William Havili and replacement Fine Inisi added to the Waratahs’ humiliation.

The defensive collapse overshadowed another eye-catching performance from Suaalii, who looked to have inspired the Waratahs with three telling touches.

All three ended in tries, with winger Triston Reilly bagging a double and halfback Wilson also benefiting from the cross-code superstar’s silky skills.

Returning to fullback after making his comeback from a foot injury last week in the centres, Suaalii’s decisive contributions earned the Waratahs a 21-7 halftime lead.

When he burst through to set up Wilson in the 57th minute to go up 28-14, the Waratahs appeared odds-on to claim their first win away from Sydney in 2025.

But then they crumbled.

McKellar’s charges have now conceded 105 points in their past two starts.

*The Crusaders have iced their first win in Fiji over the Drua with a convincing 31-14 victory in Suva.

Rob Penney’s men scored 31 unanswered points to take down the Drua and head into second place on the ladder.

It was a fast start for the visitors when scrum half Noah Hotham took the offload from Will Jordan and raced to the corner for the opener inside three minutes.

Jordan had three try assists for the afternoon as the All Black proved unstoppable.

Fast hands from the Crusaders set up Antonio Shalfoon and when Jordan put Chay Fihaki into space, suddenly the powerhouse side had a 17-0 lead.

It would stay this way heading into half-time as both sides had chances but couldn’t capitalise.

The Crusaders eventually extended their lead in the 55th minute when Jordan sliced through a hole and put the kick ahead for Macca Springer to collect.

This was Springer’s eighth try in four games and continued his six-game scoring streak in Super Rugby.

Replacement Ioane Moananu dived over eight minutes later to seal the win for the Crusaders.

Isikeli Rabitu gave the Fijian Drua faithful something to cheer about when he collected Iosefo Masi’s kick and raced away for their first points of the day.

Etonia Waqa added their second try shortly afterwards when the athletic back-rower sliced through the defence and stepped the covering defence.

But the game was already wrapped up at this point, with the Crusaders doing enough to hold onto the bonus point.

* The Blues have held on for a crucial 19-18 win over the Hurricanes to kick-start their season.

Beauden Barrett was the difference maker for the Blues for their second win of the season, sinking his old side with his boot.

Barrett contributed 16 points in the victory in the tense encounter dominated by defence.

The Hurricanes had a late chance to win the game when they stole a Hurricanes lineout with 90 seconds to go.

However, Barrett and Tele’a bundled Kini Naholo into touch for the victory.

The Blues were forced to fight hard after captain Patrick Tuipulotu went to the bin for a high shot, very fortunate to stay a yellow.

They managed the numbers perfectly, with Barrett adding first points before the Hurricanes’ Peter Lakai was denied a try for obstruction.

Fellow back-rower Braydon Iose couldn’t be denied minutes later as they marched into the lead.

The five-pointer was quickly answered by prop Marcel Renata, diving over from a quick tap play to allow Barrett to level the scores before half-time.

Ngantungane Punivai gave the Hurricanes the lead on the hour mark when the winger waltzed over the line for an 18-16 lead.

With the Blues desperate for victory, Barrett stepped up and nailed the long-range penalty goal that would prove the difference.

Barrett’s boot allowed the hosts to close out the game despite a late penalty miss.

The win keeps the Blues in touch with the sixth-placed Hurricanes, only four points back despite still sitting in tenth.

It gives them a vital confidence booster as they prepare for an Auckland battle with Moana Pasifika.

*The Western Force have jumped to fourth spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder after coming from behind to post a 29-20 bonus-point win over the Highlanders in Perth.

The Force trailed 20-7 in the 27th minute of Saturday night’s match at HBF Park before piling on the next 22 points to seal the five-tries-to-two win.

The win catapulted the Force from eighth to fourth heading into their bye week.

The Highlanders are in ninth place following their fourth straight defeat.

In-form Force flanker Carlo Tizzano was immense, scoring his 11th try of the season in the first half, and then pulling off a last-gasp turnover at the death to deny the Highlanders a try that would have robbed the home side of a valuable bonus point.

But it wasn’t all good news for the Force, who lost Dylan Pietsch in just the seventh minute after the Wallabies winger appeared to reinjure his heavily-strapped left knee.

Tizzano opened the Force’s account in the 14th minute when he crashed over from a rolling maul, but the home side’s lead was short-lived.

Highlanders winger Jona Nareki hit back three minutes later when he bounced away from two tacklers to cross over, and fullback Sam Gilbert added another try as the visitors’ lead ballooned out to 13 points by the 27th minute.

The Force had looked off their game up until that point.

But when hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa crashed over from a rolling maul in the 37th minute and then fullback Mac Grealy touched down after the half-time siren, the Force trailed by just one point.

A big turning point came in the 45th minute when Force winger Harry Potter busted over for a try with the home side trailing 20-19.

As Potter went over, Highlanders No.8 Sean Withy slid in knees first and collected the Force winger in the head.

Potter went off for a HIA assessment, while Withy was given a yellow card, which was soon upgraded to a red.

It meant the Highlanders were reduced to 14 men for the next 20 minutes and the Force extended their lead to 29-20 when substitute George Poolman went over following a slicing run from Max Burey.

Force centre Sio Tomkinson was yellow-carded three minutes later after tipping his opponent off the ball, but the Highlanders briefly went down to 13 men when Nareki was sent off for his team’s repeated penalties.

The final siren sparked big celebrations amongst Force players, while the Highlanders were left to rue going scoreless for 53 minutes.

The results and scorers are below…

 

Moana Pasifika 45-28 NSW Waratahs

The scorers:

For Moana Pasifika:
Tries: Sae-Ta’ufo’ou 3, Garden-Bachop, Havili, Inisi, Tupou Ta’eiloa
Cons: Pellegrini 5

For Waratahs:
Tries: Reilly 2, Kellaway, Wilson
Cons: Creighton 4

Teams:

Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 12 Danny Toala, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Semisi Paea, 5 Allan Craig, 4 Samuel Slade, 3 Feleti Sae-ta’ufo’ou, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu.
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Ola Tauelangi, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Fini Inisi.

Waratahs: 15 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Henry O’Donnell, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Triston Reilly, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Teddy Wilson, 8 Langi Gleeson, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Rob Leota, 5 Ben Grant, 4 Hugh Sinclair (Captain), 3 Daniel Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Julian Heaven, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Felix Kalapu, 20 Jamie Adamson, 21 Jack Grant, 22 Jack Bowen, 23 Joey Walton

Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly

Fijian Drua 14-31 Crusaders

The scorers:

For Fijian Drua:
Tries: Waqa, Rabitu
Cons: Armstrong-Ravula 2

For Crusaders:
Tries: Hotham, Shalfoon, Fihaki, Springer, Moananu
Cons: Kemara 2, O’Connor

Teams:

Fiji Drua: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Iosefo Masi, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Ponipate Longanimasi, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Isoa Tuwai, 6 Joseva Tamani, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (Captain), 1 Haereiti Hetet.
Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Emosi Tuqiri, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Leone Rotuisolia, 20 Vilive Miramira, 21 Etonia Waqa, 22 Simione Kuruvoli, 23 Isikeli Rabitu.

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Sevu Reece, 12 Dallas McLeod, 11 Macca Springer, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Noah Hotham; 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Corey Kellow, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 4 Tahlor Cahill, 3 Seb Calder, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Mitch Drummond, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Levi Aumua.

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Glenn Newman

Blues 19-18 Hurricanes

The scorers:

For Blues:
Try: Renata;
Con: Barrett
Pens: Barrett 4

For Hurricanes:
Tries: Punivai, Iose
Con: Hohepa
Pens: Hohepa 2

Teams:

Blues: 15 Corey Evans, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 AJ Lam, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Anton Segner, 5 Josh Beehre, 4 Patrick Tuioulotu (captain), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Joshua Fusitu’a.
Replacemets: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Cameron Suafoa, 20 Adrian Choat, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Stephen Perofeta.

Hurricanes: 15 Ruben Love, 14 Ngatungane Punivai, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Riley Hohepa, 9 Cam Roigard; 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Brayden Iose, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua (co-capt), 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Brad Shields, 22 Ereatara Enari, 22 Callum Harkin, 23 Fatafehi Fineanganofo.

Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Mike Winter
TMO: Paul Williams

Western Force 29-20 Highlanders

The scorers:

For Western Force
Tries: Tizzano, Paenga-Amosa, Grealy, Potter, Poolman
Cons: Donaldson 2

For Highlanders:
Tries: Nareki, Gilbert
Cons: Gilbert 2
Pens: Gilbert 2

Teams:

Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Sio Tomkinson, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Dylan Pietch, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Nic White, 8 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Will Harris, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (captain), 3 Tom Robertson, 2 Nic Dolly, 1 Marley Pearce.
Replacements: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22 Max Burey, 23 Reesjan Pasitoa.

Highlanders: 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (captain), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Taine Robinson, 9 Nathan Hastie; 8 Sean Withy, 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Saula Ma’u, 2 Soane Vikena, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Jack Taylor, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Michael Loft, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Tanielu Tele’a, 23 Michael Manson.

Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Markey, Graham Cooper
TMO: James Leckie

Sources: Super Rugby Pacific