Moana Pasifika face the Highlanders first on Sunday at the new One New Zealand Stadium.
Photo: Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz
Injuries to key players continue to hamstring both the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika as they head to Christchurch for this weekend’s Super Rugby Pacific ‘Super Round’.
It has not been an easy run for both sides, with their hopes of top six spots blown away with the winds as they worked on managing their players through the last 10 rounds of matches.
Both Moana Pasifika’s Fa’alogo Tana Umaga and Fijian Drua’s Glen Jackson have had to make changes almost every week as the injury toll kept rising within their respective camps.
It also meant looking for players from within their development or back-up squads to help fill the vacuum left through injuries.
Highlanders v Moana Pasifika
Kick-off: 2pm Sunday 26 April
One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Moana Pasifika face the Highlanders first on Sunday at the new One New Zealand Stadium.
Umaga has named young winger Israel Leota on the bench to face the Highlanders.
Leota has recovered from an ankle injury sustained against the Hurricanes in round two. The former Brisbane Broncos squad member, who also represented the Queensland Under-19 State of Origin side in 2023 and 2024, is on the wing.
Umaga said the young winger gets his chance to stake his claim again in the starting lineup, with injuries forcing Savea, Laumape and ‘Ofa out of consideration for the backline.
Also making his return to the side is midfielder Lalomilo Lalomilo, who has also recovered from a shoulder injury.
Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa retains his number eight jersey following another impressive outing against the Waratahs in Sydney last week where he made 23 tackles, had 21 carries and beat 10 defenders.
He forms the loose trio again with captain Miracle Faiilagi and Semisi Paea.
‘Ikale Tahi prop Abraham Pole also starts again upfront, with Umaga retaining consistency in his forward pack.
Former Christchurch resident Solomon Alaimalo returns to play where he was raised, having attended the local St Bede’s College.
Umaga said the team continues to focus on their games, leaving the distraction about their future in the competition in the hands of their handlers and franchise executives.
The franchise announced last week that they might not be part of the competition from 2027 unless a new funder backs them financially.
Since then Tracy Atiga, the chief executive officer of Kanaloa Rugby, a consortium made up of former professional rugby players and administrators of Pacific heritage, has revealed to Pacific Waves they are keen to take the team up.
Atiga revealed that the consortium had offered to buy the franchise earlier but their offer was knocked back by Moana Pasifika chief executive Debbie Sorensen and her team.
Umaga said while that is a major issue their focus is on what they need to do on the field.
“We got the news, tough news for us, and obviously emotional, really, about the players and the staff and the effects that it had on us and on everybody, really,” he told media in Australia after the loss to the Waratahs on Saturday night.
“And, you know, I think for us, one of our players mentioned that our op, which is pretty good, we just got to get on and do the job we’ve got for the for the time we’ve got it.
“So, I think that was a real catalyst for us to, like I said, focus on, you know, coming over here and putting our best foot forward.”
Umaga said that is the focus they want to have, being united as a playing group, as they work on meeting the Highlanders and getting one back this weekend.
“We talked a lot about staying connected in this time, and I think that’s what we’ve done, you know,” he said.
“We talk a lot about why we do it, and you know that those are the first things that come to mind when you get this kind of news, is the people that it affects, not just us, but our families, our friends and our fans, especially for what Moana Pasifika has created.
“And those things kind of galvanize you to try and get on and keep doing what we love doing.
“We always talk about we’re very fortunate and grateful for the opportunities that we have. And you know, there’s a glimmer of hope for us, and that’s what we’ve got to look forward to. And we just got to keep, keep pushing forward.”
Umaga said last weekend’s show against the Waratahs was promising and he is hopeful that will translate to a better showing against the Highlanders, who are also fighting to get a win back after losing to the Blues at home last weekend.
The Highlanders will included former Moana Pasifika player Timoci Tavatavanawai in their starting XV, which will also feature All Black prop Ethan de Groot, and Fijian heritage players Veveni Lasaqa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (co-captain), 2. Soane Vikena, 3. Saula Ma’u, 4. Mitch Dunshea, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 6. Oliver Haig, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Xavier Tito-Harris, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 13. Tanielu Tele’a, 14. Jonah Lowe, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Te Kamaka Howden, 20. Hugh Renton, 21 Lucas Casey, 22. Folau Fakatava, 23. Taine Robinson
Moana Pasifika: 1. Abraham Pole, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Chris Apoua, 4. Allan Craig, 5. Jimmy Tupou, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Glen Vaihu, 12. Tevita Latu, 13. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Tuna Tuitama, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Mamoru Harada, 17. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 18. Paula Latu, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Ola Tauelangi, 21. Augustine Pulu, 22. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 23. Israel Leota
Injured: Monu Moli (foot), Tito Tuipulotu (thumb), Niko Jones (calf), Tupou Afungia (neck), Julian Savea (shoulder), Ngani Laumape (knee), Tevita Ofa (finger), Veikoso Poloniati (concussion) and Melani Matavao (knee)
Fijian Drua held their first-ever open training session there on Tuesday at their third home ground, the 4R Stadium, in Ba. 10 March 2026
Photo: Facebook / Fijian Drua
Chiefs v Fijian Drua
Kick-off: 4pm Sunday 26 April
One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Drua mentor Jackson told the media during the week the players focused on the Chiefs now, following their first-ever win in Canberra last weekend.
Jackson said the Chiefs will be a tough team to beat and injury challenges within his squad has limited his player options.
He said the win over the Brumbies at GIO Stadium was a morale booster, especially since it was also their first away win in the competition since 2023.
“It was a massive boost for the team … not only the team but the staff as well.,” he told FBC Sports about the Waratahs win.
“We put a lot of work in our staff to try and get an away win… and it was great we did it.
“To keep the feet on the ground was pretty easy… we bused straight to Sydney after the game, so that sort of killed any excitement.”
Young Maika Tuitubou will earn his first Drua cap on Sunday, after he was named at outside centre.
Tuitubou played for the Fiji Under-20s at the 2023 World Rugby Championship and was a member of the Drua development squad, before joining the Norths Rugby Club in Queensland’s Hospital Cup competition.
He will pair veteran and former French international Virimi Vakatawa in midfield.
Co-captain Frank Lomani returns from injury to bolster this week’s matchday 23, with Taniela Rakuro, Haereiti Hetet and Peni Ravai also back in the line-up.
Frank Lomani
Photo: Facebook / Fijian Drua
Lomani will start at halfback, while Ravai is on the bench.
Hetet, who missed the last two matches because of injury, will play his 47th Drua appearance, pairing former Queen Victoria School old boy Mesake Doge at prop.
Mesake Vocevoce, who started off the bench last weekend, gets another start, moving Isoa Nasilasila to the bench for a break.
Etonia Waqa (6), Kitione Salawa (7) and Isoa Tuwai (8) all retain their positions as the loose trio.
The Chiefs have named another powerful lineup, following their upset win over the Hurricanes last weekend at the FMG Stadium in Hamilton.
All Black Wallace Sititi, who scored the winning try against the Hurricanes, is in the starting lineup and forms the team’s loose trio with Simon Parker and Jahrome Brown.
The All Black half pairing of Cortez Ratima and Damien MacKenzie will lead their attacks, with fellow All Black Quinn Tupaea controlling midfield action.
All Black Tupou Vaa’I leads the side with former Wallabies Lalakai Foketi named on the bench.
Chiefs: 1. Jared Proffit, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. George Dyer, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa’i (captain), 6. Simon Parker, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Daniel Sinkinson, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Kyle Brown, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Isaac Hutchison
Bench: 16. Tyrone Thompson, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Benét Kumeroa, 19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Michael Loft, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23. Lalakai Foketi
Fijian Drua: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Message Vocevoce, 5. Temo Mayanavanua (co-captain0, 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Isoa Tuwai, 9. Frank Lomani (co-captain), 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Manasa Mataele, 12. Virimi Vakatawa, 13. Maika Tuitubou, 14. Taniela Rakuro, 15. Ilaisa Droasese
Bench: 16. Kavaia Tagivetaua, 17. Emosi Tuqiri, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Isoa Nasilasila, 20. Elia Canakaivata, 21. Simione Kuruvoli, 22. Kemu Valetini, 23. Inia Tabuavou
Injured: Isikeli Rabitu (concussion), Tuidraki Samusamuvodre (leg), Isikeli Basiyalo (leg), Ponipate Loganimasi (arm), Epeli Momo (knee) and Meli Tuni (knee)
Super Round draws:
Friday, 24 April @ One NZ Stadium – 7:35pm: Crusaders vs Waratahs
Saturday – 25 April – 5:05pm Hurricanes vs Brumbies, 7:35pm Blues vs Reds
Sunday – 26 April: 2pm Highlanders vs Moana Pasifika, 4:30pm Chiefs vs Fijian Drua
