{"209":{"title":"Six Nations","uri":"six-nations","id":"108","oid":"209","order":0,"hasData":1},"210":{"title":"Rugby World Cup","uri":"rugby-world-cup","id":"111","oid":"210","order":1,"hasData":1},"3":{"title":"International","uri":"internationals","id":"107","oid":"3","order":3,"hasData":1},"201":{"title":"Gallagher Premiership","uri":"premiership","id":"101","oid":"201","order":4,"hasData":1},"204":{"title":"United Rugby Championship","uri":"united-rugby-championship","id":"138","oid":"204","order":5,"hasData":1},"203":{"title":"TOP 14","uri":"top-14","id":"102","oid":"203","order":6,"hasData":1},"217":{"title":"U20 Six Nations","uri":"u20-six-nations","id":"217","oid":"217","order":7,"hasData":1},"211":{"title":"Pro D2","uri":"pro-d2","id":"119","oid":"211","order":8,"hasData":1},"208":{"title":"Bunnings NPC","uri":"bunnings-npc","id":"105","oid":"208","order":9,"hasData":1},"242":{"title":"Investec Champions Cup","uri":"european-champions-cup","id":"110","oid":"242","order":10,"hasData":1},"243":{"title":"Challenge Cup","uri":"challenge-cup","id":"118","oid":"243","order":11,"hasData":1},"340":{"title":"PWR","uri":"premiership-womens-rugby","id":"127","oid":"340","order":12,"hasData":1},"205":{"title":"Super Rugby Pacific","uri":"super-rugby","id":"104","oid":"205","order":13,"hasData":1},"207":{"title":"Currie Cup","uri":"currie-cup","id":"106","oid":"207","order":14,"hasData":1},"248":{"title":"Women's Six Nations","uri":"womens-six-nations","id":"125","oid":"248","order":16,"hasData":1},"274":{"title":"Women's Internationals","uri":"womens-internationals","id":"274","oid":"274","order":17,"hasData":1},"249":{"title":"Women's Rugby World Cup","uri":"womens-rugby-world-cup","id":"126","oid":"249","order":18,"hasData":1},"365":{"title":"Autumn Nations Series","uri":"autumn-nations-series","id":"124","oid":"365","order":19,"hasData":1},"2000":{"title":"Nations Championship","uri":"nations-championship","id":"2000","oid":"2000","order":20,"hasData":1},"1":{"title":"Rugby Hybrid Friendlies","uri":"rugby-hybrid-friendlies","id":"1","oid":"1","order":21,"hasData":1},"269":{"title":"Rugby Europe Championship","uri":"rugby-europe-championship","id":"269","oid":"269","order":22,"hasData":1},"221":{"title":"British & Irish Lions 2025","uri":"british-irish-lions","id":"113","oid":"221","order":23,"hasData":1},"214":{"title":"The Rugby Championship","uri":"the-rugby-championship","id":"109","oid":"214","order":24,"hasData":1},"141":{"title":"Super Rugby Pacific","uri":"super-rugby-pacific","id":"141","oid":"141","order":25,"hasData":1},"216":{"title":"World Rugby Junior World Championship","uri":"world-rugby-u20-championship","id":"216","oid":"216","order":25,"hasData":1},"219":{"title":"Pacific Nations Cup","uri":"pacific-nations-cup","id":"219","oid":"219","order":26,"hasData":1},"120":{"title":"Pacific Four Series","uri":"pacific-four-series","id":"120","oid":"120","order":27,"hasData":1},"862":{"title":"WXV 1","uri":"wxv-1","id":"862","oid":"862","order":29,"hasData":1},"863":{"title":"WXV 2","uri":"wxv-2","id":"863","oid":"863","order":30,"hasData":1},"864":{"title":"WXV 3","uri":"wxv-3","id":"864","oid":"864","order":31,"hasData":1},"151":{"title":"Major League Rugby","uri":"major-league-rugby","id":"131","oid":"151","order":32,"hasData":1},"116":{"title":"Premiership Cup","uri":"premiership-cup","id":"116","oid":"116","order":34,"hasData":1}}
38 - 19
FT
51 - 25
FT
24 - 25
FT
54 - 28
FT
24 - 34
FT
29 - 14
FT
17 - 27
FT
36 - 36
FT
27 - 27
FT
7 - 38
FT
21 - 43
FT
33 - 40
FT
14 - 39
FT
27 - 47
FT
56 - 20
FT
21 - 40
FT
23 - 48
FT
49 - 12
FT
45 - 36
FT
31 - 14
FT
47 - 14
FT
33 - 25
FT
14 - 32
FT
14 - 26
FT
38 - 28
FT
29 - 27
FT
57 - 19
FT
41 - 17
FT
43 - 40
FT
18 - 9
FT
28 - 12
FT
Thursday
21:00
Friday
19:30
Friday
19:30
Friday
19:30
Friday
19:30
Friday
20:45
Friday
20:45
Friday
20:45
Friday
20:45
Friday
20:45
Friday
21:00
Friday
21:00

Crusaders star to lead Moana Pasifika in Hamilton

By Online Editors
Thursday 3 Dec 2020

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders star Michael Alaalatoa will lead the Moana Pasifika against the Maori All Blacks in a historic match on Saturday in Hamilton.

ADVERTISEMENT

Head Coach Tana Umaga has named an impressively experienced rugby side for Saturday’s encounter.

The side includes 66 international test caps and seven who played in Mitre 10 Cup finals last weekend.

Marino Mikaele-Tu’u and Folau Fakatava helped Hawke’s Bay secure a Championship Final last Friday, while Auckland’s Leni Apisai and Salesi Rayasi are now in the same side as Tasman champions – Dwayne Polataivao, Leicester Faingaanuku, Fetuli Paea – who edged them out of Saturday’s epic Mitre 10 Cup Premiership Final title.

Umaga said the squad had had a good preparation week and they were pleased to have a strong squad from which to select.

“We think we have picked a team that can do the job, but the reality is that we picked from a strong squad, and we know every player chose to be here, and that’s a big deal.

“We have a total of 66 international test caps in the side – these guys know how to play rugby, so our focus this week has been on our purpose as a group.

ADVERTISEMENT

“This is a really special match, and it’s been a very special week. We’ve really enjoyed being able to
come together with common cultures, common stories, and rugby.

“We’re really pleased to name Michael [Alaalatoa] as our captain. On the field, Mike works hard on his rugby, and he works hard for any team he’s in. He’s a quiet, but formidable figure for the Crusaders and a stalwart for Manawatu. Mike is someone who is a Pasifika man at the heart of him, and I know he and his family were very proud when he was selected for Samoa’s 2019 World Cup in Japan last year.”

*Article continues below…

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Moana Pasifika: 15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 13 Fetuli Paea, 12 Vince Aso, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Pita-Gus Sowakula, 7 Alamanda Motuga, 6 Peseta Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 5 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Michael Alaalatoa Manawatu, 2 Leni Apisai Auckland, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukie’aho, 17 Jordan Lay, 18 Sione Mafielo, 19 Samipeni Finau, 20 Nasi Manu, 21 Dwyane Polataivao, 22 Asaeli Tikoroituma, 23 TaimalelagiaEtene Nanai-Seturo

Date: Saturday, December 5
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.05 (06.00 GMT)
Referee: TBC
Assistant Referees: Tbc
TMO: TBC

ADVERTISEMENT

Trending

1
Wallabies' Bledisloe crash reaffirms Boks, All Blacks as only real RWC 2027 contenders
2
Lions show courage after tragedy in defeat to Stade Rochelais
3
Top dogs deliver on emotional weekend for SA rugby

Join free

Has Beauden Barrett Just Secured His World Cup Place? | Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 36

KOKO Show | 13 October 2026 | WALLABIES BROUGHT CRASHING BACK TO EARTH! All Blacks Deliver Bledisloe Reality Check!

What Rugby Fans Don't See: Ben O'Keeffe on Life Under Pressure | ARP Extra

What Did the All Blacks’ Big Win Prove? | Episode 35 | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Canada v England | WXV Global Series

MLR Weekly: New England Owner Errik Anderson re expansion/future, MLR News, College Rugby Corner

Spain v South Africa | WXV Global Series 2026 | Match Highlights

Chile v Hong Kong China | U20 Challenger 2026 | Match Highlights

Belgium v Portugal | U20 Challenger 2026 | Match Highlights

Recommended

Countries

All Blacks speedster ruled out of Nations Championship

10h
1
Australia

Wallabies' Bledisloe crash reaffirms Boks, All Blacks as only real RWC 2027 contenders

10h
55
Australia

'That was excellent': All Blacks back on track after South Africa wake-up

1d
2
Australia

'Unacceptable': Kiss blasts Wallabies' woeful performance against All Blacks

2d
50

Write A Comment

Trending

1
Wallabies' Bledisloe crash reaffirms Boks, All Blacks as only real RWC 2027 contenders
2
Lions show courage after tragedy in defeat to Stade Rochelais
3
Top dogs deliver on emotional weekend for SA rugby