{"id":308134,"date":"2026-03-01T15:48:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T15:48:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/308134\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T15:48:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T15:48:29","slug":"moana-pasifika-fall-to-force-in-pukekohe-moana-pasifika","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/308134\/","title":{"rendered":"Moana Pasifika fall to Force in Pukekohe \u2013 Moana Pasifika"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Match Summary: Moana Pasifika fall to Force in Pukekohe<\/p>\n

\"\"AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND \u2013 FEBRUARY 27: Ngani Laumape of Moana Pasifika (R) during the round three Super Rugby match between Moana Pasifika and the Western Force at Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe on February 27, 2026, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Moana Pasifika were defeated by the Western Force 35-19 in Pukekohe on Friday night.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Force came out strong, dominating on attack and scoring early with debutant Darby Lancaster getting across the line for the first try.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The visitors robust\u00a0defence\u00a0was hard to break and they continued to pressure Moana Pasifika\u2019s playmakers with their kicking game.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Millennium Sanerivi scored Moana\u2019s first points after fighting his way to the try-line. The Force commanded the first half with former All Black George Bridge also getting a try just before the break, to highlight his first match back on New Zealand soil.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Moana winger Denzel Samoa blocked Bridge\u2019s first try attempt after tackling him and forcing a knock-on.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The hosts showed promise in the second half but were unable to make the most of their opportunities, as the Force led for the entire match.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Melani Matavao was the spark plug the home side needed, scoring with 10 minutes left in the game. He saw a gap in the defence and went for it, with four Force players attempting to stop the feisty replacement half. <\/p>\n

As always the faithful fans of Pukekohe brought the noise and energy, and stayed back afterwards as Moana Pasifika celebrated William Havili\u2019s 50th\u00a0match milestone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Moana Pasifika now prepare for their match against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What the teams said about the match<\/p>\n

Western Force head coach Simon Cron<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought even against the Blues the boys showed some really good rugby, that first half for example we were up against them. It was just the 15 minutes after half time we let them back in. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo every week it\u2019s about getting better and every week it\u2019s about building on some key work ons. I thought the boys against the Blues were much better than against the Brumbies, and this week they were much more complete in that block when they came out at halftime.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moana Pasifika head coach Fa\u2019alogo Tana Umaga<\/p>\n

\u201cWe weren\u2019t able to build any momentum through a very good and committed Western Force side. They didn\u2019t give up, they just really niggled away at us and we made errors and gave away penalties, and we couldn\u2019t put any positive moments together. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to be accurate every time we turn up and trust in what we do and execute that, so it was a lesson for us today.\u201d <\/p>\n

ENDS<\/p>\n

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