Moana upset Crusaders in statement win, Reds claim top spot
SATURDAY WRAP: Moana Pasifika stunned the Crusaders for a 45-29 win in Christchurch for one of the biggest upsets of the year, whilst the Reds’ narrow victory over the Western Force saw them claim top spot on the Super Rugby table.
It’s their first win over the Crusaders as they looked a class above from the opening whistle.
The Crusaders had won their last two games against Moana Pasifika at home by an average of 25 points but it was the visitors that started best through captain Ardie Savea.
Savea crossed for a double in the first 15 minutes as a yellow card to Cullen Grace opened the door for a Moana Pasifika side doing everything right to strike.
Late starter Danny Toala barged over the line to extend Moana Pasifika’s lead to 21-10, only for Patrick Pellegrini to add to it in the 34th minute.
The Crusaders were left all at sea as the visitors dominated the stats counter heading into the break.
Macca Springer inspired hope for a comeback and when Codie Taylor crossed from the bench, it seemed inevitable the Crusaders would come all the way back and deny Moana Pasifika the win.
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This is where Tana Umaga’s side went into overdrive.
Miracle Faiilagi continued his breakout season with a crucial try just after the hour mark to hand them a 16-point lead.
When Pepesana Patafilo dived over three minutes later, the result was secured for the bottom-ranked side.
Mitchell Drummond got a late consolation try for the Crusaders, but it was all about Moana Pasifika as they soaked up the famous win.
It sees the visitors leap into ninth position ahead of defending champions and cross-town rivals Blues.
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In the all Aussie affair, the Reds have soared to the top spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder after overcoming a horror night at the line-outs to post a pulsating 28-24 win over the Western Force in Brisbane.
The odds were stacked against the Reds after flanker John Bryant was yellow-carded in the 68th minute for a dangerous clean-out with the visitors leading by three points.
But despite the numerical disadvantage, Reds scrumhalf Tate McDermott touched down in the 73rd minute with the hosts defending grimly from that moment on to seal victory.
The result lifted the Reds into top spot following the Crusaders’ shock 29-45 loss to Moana Pasifika in Christchurch earlier on Saturday.
It means the Reds’ clash with the Chiefs next Friday night in New Zealand will be a top-of-the-table battle.
The Force were looking to gain a slice of revenge after the Reds scored a try in the dying minutes to snatch a 28-24 win in Perth a month ago.
But it wasn’t to be, with the Reds winning by the exact same scoreline, despite losing a whopping eight lineouts from their own throw during the match.
Force duo Darcy Swain and Jeremy Williams were giants, stealing the Reds’ throws time and time again.
Heavy downpours in Brisbane led many to predict a scrappy battle at Lang Park.
But with the rain clearing up before kick-off, both sides scored three tries apiece in an action-packed opening half, with the scores locked at 21-all at the break.
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The Reds set the tone early by turning down an easy three points in a bid to go for a try.
They were rewarded when outside centre Filipo Daugunu squeezed over the line with a pick and go.
The Force hit back in the most unlikely fashion, with Tom Robertson sprinting 45m to score a rare breakaway try for a prop.
The Reds’ line-out was a horror show, with the Force stealing five throws alone in the first half.
But one of the Reds’ disastrous throws ended up turning to gold, with Tom Lynagh cleaning up an overthrow and beating two defenders before flicking a clever pass to Dre Pakeho for the try.
Either side of that it was the Carlo Tizzano show, with the star Force flanker scoring his ninth and 10th tries of the season to keep the scoreboard close.
The Force edged out to a 24-21 lead courtesy of Ben Donaldson’s penalty in the 58th minute.
The Reds were dealt a huge blow 10 minutes later when Bryant was yellow-carded for lifting and tipping Tizzano over.
But when the Reds finally nailed a line-out it produced good results, with a rolling maul and a quick snipe from McDermott resulting in a try.
The Reds were dealt a late blow when Hunter Paisami was ruled out with a broken nose.
His absence came on top of Harry Wilson, Liam Wright and Fraser McReight also being unavailable, but the Reds still found a way to snare the important win.
*All the Saturday scores and scorers follow below…
Super Rugby Pacific
Crusaders 29-45 Moana Pasifika
Match Summary
Scorers:
For the Crusaders:
Tries: Moanau, Springer, Taylor, Drummond
Cons: O’Connor 2, Reihana
Pen: O’Connor
For Moana Pasifika:
Tries: Savea 2, Patafilo, Toala, Faiilagi, Pellegrini
Cons: Pellegrini 6
Pen: Pellegrini
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Dallas McLeod, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Macca Springer, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Fletcher Anderson, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Cullen Grace, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Ioane Moananu, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Xavier Saifoloi, 21 Mitch Drummond, 22 Rivez Reihana, 23 Levi Aumua.
Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Tevita Ofa, 13 Pepesana Patafilo, 12 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Allan Craig, 4 Samuel Slade, 3 Feleti Sae-ta’ufo’ou, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu.
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Alamanda Motuga, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Tuna Tuitama.
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Mike Winter, Jeremy Markey
TMO: Angus Mabey
Reds 28-24 Western Force
Match Summary
Scorers:
For the Reds:
Tries: Daugunu, Pakeho, Murray, McDermott
Cons: Lynagh 4
For the Western Force:
Tries: Tizzano 2, Robertson
Cons: Donaldson 3
Pen: Donaldson
Teams:
Reds: 15 Heremaia Murray, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Filipo Daugunu, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Kalani Thomas, 8 Joe Brial, 7 Josh Bryant, 6 Seru Uru, 5 Ryan Smith (captain), 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Massimo De Lutiis, 2 Richie Asiata, 1 Alex Hodgman.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 George Blake, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Connor Vest, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Dre Pakeho.
Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Sio Tomkinson, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Dylan Pietch, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Nic White, 8 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Will Harris, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (captain), 3 Tom Robertson, 2 Nic Dolly, 1 Marley Pearce.
Replacements: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22 Max Burey, 23 Reesjan Pasitoa.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Brett Cronan
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