Moana wanted to bow out with pride and in front of a modest but very vocal crowd, they almost pulled off a fairytale ending.
Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Whether or not the franchise lives on, the spirit of Moana Pasifika will not die.
The side remains hopeful of a saviour, but their future is looking more likely to be a bleak one.
Moana wanted to bow out with pride and in front of a modest but very vocal crowd, they almost pulled off a fairytale ending.
But as we know, sport is no fairytale world, and the Reds would send Moana from Albany with a heart-wrenching defeat.
“Kind of sums up our season really,” coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga conceded.
“In key moments when we had a plan around things, we just weren’t able to execute.”
An emotional evening for the side, they would offer a farewell to their loyal fans.
Umaga said it would be a sad end to the story.
“There’s nothing else like this anywhere. We celebrate who we are from the minute you walk in to the minute you leave. I was very proud of our guys. With everything going on, they had the excuse not to come out and perform, but they did.”
Umaga said they can walk away with their heads held high.
“The boys turned up, everyone did their work and the impact off the bench lifted the spirit of the team as well. We fell short, but I’m proud of the effort from the boys.”
Umaga shows off his dance moves.
Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Not only did the players turn up, but so did the faithful.
“They turn up all the time for us every week, especially at our home games. That never goes unnoticed. We talk a lot about us turning up every day with what we’re going through, but people are still behind us. The support we’re getting is amazing.”
Umaga celebrated the post match with a traditional Samoan dance to the delight of the spectators.
“Well usually everyone else jumps up too. But what other event do you see where our languages are spoken freely and our culture is celebrated freely? That’s what we’re about and that’s what we’re proud of. Hopefully those kids running around out there, proud to be Pacific, can see they can just be themselves and that’s good enough, because it is good enough.”
Despite the outlook, Moana keep faith they will endure.
“We stay hopeful. We really want this group to continue. What I love most about this team is the culture. There’s no other team in the comp like this team. Samoan and Tongan boys mixing together, learning each other’s values and upbringings. That’s what’s special about this group – the connection, the values, the people who came before us and giving back to them.”
“We haven’t been able to keep it alive for now, but hopefully in the future it does continue.”
With just one match remaining, Umaga said there will be be issue getting motivated for their final match across the ditch.
“It’ll be no different on Monday.”
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