Moana Pasifika

Eleven players set to make their Moana Pasifika debut on Tuesday, with head coach Aaron Mauger using the full depth of his squad with only a four-day turnaround from Friday's historic win against the Hurricanes.

After playing for the Crusaders in Moana Pasifika's first match, prop Abraham Pole will make his debut for Moana Pasifika as a permanent replacement for the season.

Despite not being able to call upon 17 squad members through Covid-19 cases and injuries, the Chiefs ran away with the match in the second half to record their third win in four games.

The visitors lead 19-7 at half time thanks to tries from Bryn Gatland, Hamilton Burr and Emoni Narawa.

Jonah Lowe touched down for the Chiefs shortly after the break to extend the lead, before a flurry of tries from Tupou Vaa'i, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber, Alex Nankivell and Tyrone Thompson blew out the scoreline.

Sione Tu'ipulotu will make his debut on the blindside flank, with fellow 'Ikale Tahi international Solomone Funaki switching to the openside in place of Manu Samoa loose forward Alamanda Motuga, who is sidelined with a wrist injury.

There's also a new pairing in the halves with Samoa's Jonathan Taumateine and former Wallabies pivot Christian Leali'ifano taking the reins from Ereatara Enari and Lincoln McClutchie.

Moana Pasifika held their own in their debut match against the Crusaders in round three, scoring the opening try in the 33-12 defeat.

Moana Pasifika were supposed to kick off the tournament last month against the Blues but the match was postponed after several players in the squad went down with Covid-19.

The match will now be played on 29 March at Mount Smart Stadium while the game against the Chiefs will be played in Hamilton on 12 April.

"It was always our intention to reschedule the matches and it's a great result for the integrity of the competition," said the NZR's Chris Lendrum.

Ryan is also assistant coach of the Flying Fijians - Fiji's national team.

His input has seen a huge improvement in Fiji's forward play.

This was put on show last year when Fiji's loose forwards embarrassed the All Blacks at the ruck in Dunedin, the All Blacks of course won the encounter 57-23 and the second test 60-13.

Ryan was called on by Fiji coach Vern Cotter in 2020 and will stay with Fiji until the 2023 World Cup in France.

He said he was stoked about the Fiji Drua's maiden victory at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

It's been a tough week for the franchise, with Hurricanes Poua also forced to withdraw from their inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki match also because of Covid-19.

"We obviously wanted to play, and I really feel for the staff and players," Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee said.

"We are also disappointed for Moana Pasifika who have already had to deal with this situation twice this season."

The 34-year-old was proud of being part of a Moana Pasifika's performance against the Crusaders that was far better than many had expected, albeit rueful that friends and family couldn't be on hand to see it.

He was delighted that Moana Pasifika could be a platform to showcase Pasifika culture to the world. And, he was certain that they had a lot more up their sleeve as they quickly shifted focus to the Hurricanes in Wellington next Saturday.

The tournament newcomers went into Friday night's match as underdogs following heavy defeats to the Waratahs and Brumbies in the opening two rounds.

Following the game, the Drua head coach Mick Byrne said he was pleased the team stuck with their plan.

"I said it last week, and we have been training well, we have been training our game well, and I think just getting use to the fact that the physical nature of Super Rugby and as I've said, I'm pretty much repeating myself again, I'm proud about the boys went about their task," Byrne said

It will be Moana Pasifika's first game in the competition after they had the first two games, against the Blues and the Chiefs, postponed because of Covid-19 within the ranks.

Moana Pasifika continue to be based in Queenstown while some of the other teams have left for home.

Coach of the Crusaders Scott Robertson said he expects Moana Pasifika to play with passion in their debut game.

The team has yet to play a game in the competition, after they missed the first two rounds when several players tested positive for Covid-19.

Both players and management spent ten days in self-isolation at a Queenstown hotel.

Moana Pasifika halfback Ereatara Enari said the last two weeks have been a challenging time for the team as they recover from physical inactivity.