Halfback Adam Lennox continued his impressive run as Joseph’s number one No 9 – including a spell on the wing – while fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens also showed his worth after returning three weeks ahead of schedule from an ankle injury.
On the other side of the ledger, Moana ironically continue to perform to a greater level than the sum of their parts, more than a week on from their Super Rugby exit being confirmed.
After forcing the Waratahs to work for a 29-14 win in Sydney last week, Moana did the same to the Highlanders in Christchurch, led by William Havili after a surprise switch to No 10.
For all the talk of budgets and balance sheets, Moana’s efforts since the news of their demise prove their place in Super Rugby is more than warranted from a competitive standpoint at the very least.
Highlanders first-five Cam Millar against Moana Pasifika in Christchurch. Photo / Photosport
Needing victory to stay within touching distance of the top six, the Highlanders were frustrated by Moana early on, despite the advantage of One NZ Stadium’s roof recreating their home conditions at Forsyth Barr.
Veveni Lasaqa squandered a chance to open the scoring, when he attempted to score in the right corner and was bundled into touch, despite having Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens unmarked outside him.
Moana’s efforts were hampered by the loss of Patrick Pellegrini, who failed a concussion test after a clash of heads with opposite Cam Millar, before repeat infringements inside their own half – with the Highlanders enjoying more than 75% of territory – saw Semisi Paea shown a yellow card.
With their numerical advantage, the Highlanders finally opened the scoring in the 26th minute, as Jonah Lowe capitalised on an overlap on the left to score unopposed.
Down a man and down on the scoresheet, Moana struck back through NRL-bound Israel Leota, after the outstanding Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa broke to have the Highlanders on the backfoot in their own half.
Havili’s move to first-five took Moana to another level, as his high kick saw Leota out-leap Lennox and bring the scores back to 7-5 before Moana had their full complement restored, as the Highlanders lost Lowe to the bin for a shoulder on Havili.
Moana needed no second invitation to expose an overlap through Glen Vaihu to take the lead for the first time and carried their three-point advantage into the break.
But whatever Joseph said at halftime clearly worked for the Highlanders, as the bench took over in the second spell.
Once Millar’s boot levelled the scores at 10-10, Angus Ta’avao put the Highlanders clear when he was able to pick-and-go after a linebreak from Timoci Tavatavanawai, before Lennox shifted to the wing, and latched onto a Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens grubber to race away for his third try in the last two weeks – even if he could be accused of celebrating too early against Leota’s challenge.
Jonah Lowe and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens celebrate against Moana Pasifika. Photo / Photosport
Augustine Pulu kept Moana in the contest, when he vaulted over opposite Folau Fakatava to somehow ground the ball and score his first Super Rugby try since 2019, and set up a nervy final 10 minutes for the Highlanders.
But as Moana surged in the hope of taking the game to Super Point, a turnover penalty won by reserve loose forward Lucas Casey gave Millar the chance to push the score beyond a converted try and confirm the Highlanders victory with a penalty as the siren went.
The Highlanders’ quest for a top six spot continues with a trip to face the Fijian Drua away from home next week, while Moana return to Auckland to host the Blues in their first game in front of their own fans since their Super Rugby exit was announced last week.
Highlanders 27 (Lowe, Ta’avao, Lennox tries; Millar 3 conversions; Millar 2 penalties)
Moana Pasifika 17 (Leota, Vaihu, Pulu tries; Havili conversion)
HT: 10-7
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.