Moana Pasifika

Savea, who scored 46 tries in 54 tests for the All Blacks between 2012 and 2017, announced his signing on social media on Wednesday morning.

On September 2 it was confirmed that the 33-year-old had parted ways with the Hurricanes, the franchise he represented for a total of 11 seasons over two separate periods.

His first stint with the Wellington-based franchise started in 2011, and he remained with it through to 2018 season before joining French club Toulon.

Umaga has been unveiled as the new Moana Pasifika coach, taking over from Aaron Mauger. He has signed a three-year contract from 2024 to 2026.

The former All Blacks captain, who coached Moana Pasifika in their debut match against the Māori All Blacks in 2020, said: “I’ve always held a special place for Moana Pasifika since its inception, and I’m deeply honoured for this opportunity to take up the reins again as head coach.”

That's the indication from Tongan head coach Toutai Kefu, who says the Tongan players in the Moana outfit have improved immensely in the last two years the team has been part of the Super Rugby Pacific competition.

Kefu is expected to announce Tonga's squad to meet Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Romania in France this coming weekend.

Speaking with RNZ Pacific from Brisbane this week, the former Wallaby loose forward said he and his panel of coaches have been following the performances of Moana Pasifika players and those playing around the world.

A total of seven tries was scored by the Drua with inform center Iosefo Masi bagging a hat-trick.

However the side needed a bonus point win as they chase a quarterfinal spot.

The game went right down to the wire with a crucial conversation that could have seen Moana win the match.

Captain Meli Derenalagi says it was a bruising encounter.

“It was a brutal match. We knew Moana Pasifika was going to be tough and we had to fight until the last minute. Hats off to the boys for holding on and we have a lot of weaknesses to work on in the next game.”

Aumua, who has been the side’s best player this season has maternal links to Fiji.

The 28-year-old is from Naveicovatu in Tailevu on the main island of Viti Levu.

Aumua who frequently visits his family in the village said he cannot wait to play the Drua at home.

“Really excited we have been waiting since round 1 to play the Drua again and it’s not easy to come here and play the Drua in front of their home crowd, should be a good game.”

The franchise on Monday afternoon confirmed media reports that Mauger had decided to leave after being at the helm for the past two years.

Mauger will finish at the end of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, a statement from the Auckland-based franchise said. There are two games to go.

RNZ Pacific reprots he had initially signed his contract for three years in 2022.

Mauger had overseen a dismal season in which they have lost all 12 of their games so far this season.

Mauger and his team believed they were on the brink of a famous victory over the Blues at Eden Park last night when leading by six points with the fulltime siren having sounded but a penalty try awarded to the home side due to a collapsed scrum with two Moana forwards in the bin put paid to that.

It meant Moana Pasifika, beaten by the barest of margins 31-30, couldn’t replicate the Fijian Drua’s triumph over the Hurricanes in Suva earlier when the home side got up 27-24 over the shell-shocked visitors.

This year the Drua have already played two home matches and won both, and they are due to play two more at home in the next month.

Moana Pasifika, on the other hand, had their first-ever local game on April 14 in Apia, Samoa, losing 40-28 to the Queensland Reds.

They are based this year at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.

A spokesperson for Moana Pasifika on asked if they were likely to more home games said: "We definitely would like to have more games in 2024 in our home nations and fixtures are still to be scheduled."

In a ten-try thriller, the visitors came out on top after 80 minutes of high-intensity rugby in front of more than 15,000 home supporters in the much-anticipated Super Rugby clash, as the hosts turned the heat on until the final whistle.

PMN News reports the result means the Reds ended their three-game losing streak, while Moana Pasifika will have to continue to seek their inaugural win in the 2023 season.

​Moana Pasifika coach Aaron Mauger said he was happy with the way the side played despite the loss.

"They showed the fans that they can be among the big boys.

The match will be a curtain raiser for the Moana Pasifika versus Rebels match in the tenth round of the Super Rugby Pacific competition at the Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.

This is the first ever Women’s XVs team consisting of only local Tongan women.