Fans turned up to support Moana Pasifika as they fought hard at home in their last Super Rugby Pacific game for 2026.
Photo: RNZ/Coco Lance
Miracles do happen.
That’s what Moana Pasifika has continued to believe in.
Against the Reds at home in Albany this afternoon, that miracle almost happened, the home side falling 33-31 at the end after a last try by the Reds almost on time.
Head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga has repeatedly said in his many media interviews since revelation, that the franchise club would wrap up their stint in Super Rugby Pacific at the end of the current season.
Ever since that announcement a number of interested parties have been in discussions with Pasifika Medical Association, the license holder for Moana Pasifika, New Zealand Rugby and other stakeholders about picking up the tab.
While there’s so much silence around the dealings, with the team being kept in the dark with minimal updates, one senior member of the Moana Pasifika inner circle said there was something happening.
“Miracles do happen,” the official said when pressed.
Umaga said minutes before kick-off it was an emotional game.
He thanked all stakeholders, families, communities, sponsors and fans, who have been behind them since their debut in 2022.
That miracle is what Moana Pasifika is clinging to.
That news might have trickled down to the players before the game, because they came out to North Harbour Stadium with vigour and drive.
Against Queensland Reds, in what is their last home game for 2026, the Miracle Failagii-captained side took to the field as warriors ready to defend their home turf until the last one fell.
They set the scene with their ‘tau moana’, their war dance learned and practiced, that is performed before their matches.
Like the New Zealand ‘haka’ and the Fijian ‘icibi’, the challenge is supposed to send chills down the spines of opposition as they watch the fierceness in the players’ eyes and expressions as they stomp the ground and throw up their hands in fists, depicting their open challenge.
When the game got underway, Moana Pasifika did not wait for long to express their intentions.
Augustine Pulu ran to score in the first two minutes of the game, Tevita Latu running down the sideline and turning pass into Patrick Pellegrini who found Pulu with his infield pass.
Fans at the last Moana Pasifika home game.
Photo: RNZ/Coco Lance
Glen Vaihu took a bomb beautifully, ran and found Latu who broke a tackle and linked with Pellegrini, who in turn found Pulu, who had plenty of ground to cover, but stretched out the legs and got there! Moana on the board early!
Pellegrini kicked the conversion for Moana Pasifika to lead 7-0 early.
The Reds did come back to score and level terms a few minutes later, through Tim Ryan, converted by Carter Gordon.
Lock forward Josh Canham then ran through with his long strides, reaching over the line to plant the ball for five points, which Gordon converted again, as the Reds went 14-7 up.
Twenty six minutes in Israel Leota did a somersault dive on the right corner after a Semisi Taeiloa pick up from the scrum feed that saw the ball travel the whole with of the field as ball went to hands but referee Reuben Keane ruled an interference by Moana Pasifika that ruled the try out, after the TMO picked that up.
On the stroke of fulltime Reds got a penalty, they kicked fir tiuch, won the lineout and played towards the line, and with two consecutive penalty advantage, finally got over for their third try, and Ryan’s double.
Gordon parted the uprights from wide out to send the teams to halftime with the Reds leading 21-7.
Moana Pasifika were found wanting for a number of penalties, which killed their momentum and got them on the wrong end of the scoreboard after the first 40 minutes.
Fight back
Moana Pasifika gave away too many penalties at the restart and paid dearly for it, with the Reds winger Treyvon Pritchard stretching over for a try in the right corner, Gordon not managing to add the extra two points as the scoreline went further up in favour of the visitors.
Fans at the last Moana Pasifika home game.
Photo: RNZ/Coco Lance
Taeiloa crashed through after a good Moana Pasifika counterattack in the 49th minute, Veikoso Poloniati running through a hole, after a good break from Leota through the middle of the field. Pellegrini converted as Moana Pasifika closed the gap to 14-26.
A penalty try in the 53rd minute, after the Reds collapsed a Moana Pasifika maul, as Failagii took the lineout throw and drove, turned the tables for the hosts, edging closer 21-26.
Then four minutes later, it was Leota who took the flick pass from Failagii and strode down the sideline, stepping his way past defenders to run in for his try next to the posts, Pellegrini converting as the tables turned 28-26 in favour of the home team.
Fans were on their feet and cheering Leota on as he strode, upright, with ball in one hand, on his way to the tryline.
Reds under all sorts of pressure but continuing to chance their arm, with another attack.
But fullback William Havili intercepted what was a try saver, as the Reds had him three on one.
Havili managed to snag the intercept and saved a possible try.
A 75th minute penalty attempt by Pellegrini from just outside the Reds’ 10 metre line sailed in in-between the uprights, with flag-waving Moana Pasifika fans on the grandstand celebrating.
With three minutes to go Jock Campbell sliced his way past falling Moana Pasifika tacklers to score with replacement Ben Volavola slicing the uprights for an extra two points, as the Reds took the lead again 33-31.
It was a closer fight and finish then when in Round 3 on February 26, the Reds won with a scoreline of 35 – 14.
Moana Pasifika captain Failagii thanked the fans and all who have supported them.
“Want to thank the fans for turning up today,” Failagii said.
“The message at halftime was to stay in the fight for 80 minutes
“We thank the Reds for the great battle today
“Thank you so much Moana family..much appreciated.”
Reds coach Les Kiss said the Reds applaud the Moana Pasifika team for the courage they continue to show despite the uncertainties surrounding their future.
He presented a special gift to his opposite Umaga.
Reds player Seru Uru said in Fijian that it was sad to see Moana Pasifika face possible end to their campaign.
“But this not the end of the road. We wish you guys all the best and thank you for the fighting spirit you have all showed in wearing and representing the Moana Pasifika jersey.”
Head coach Umaga said he appreciated the Reds support and their words of encouragement for the Moana Pasifika players, despite what they are going through.
He said hearing Pasifika players speaking in their own native languages, in Fijian, Tongan and Samoan, saying that was a success for Moana Pasifika.
“We would also like to acknowledge all our supporters who come out every week,” he said.
“The volunteers, and all that they do.
“Hopefully it is not the end, and we still have faith, because that is the people we are.”
