Reds 40

Moana Pasifika 28

Moana Pasifika’s first Super Rugby Pacific match in Samoa wasn’t short of action for the vocal Apia Park crowd, but it ended in an all too familiar manner for the hosts.

The support of the home crowd wasn’t enough to lift Moana Pasifika, as a 40-28 loss to the Reds saw their winless start to the season extended to eight games.

Local fans were treated to an end-to-end game, highlighted by a standout performance from former Samoa Sevens player Miracle Fai’ilagi, who has emerged as a star in the back row for Moana Pasifika this year.

But Moana Pasifika would go on to rue missed opportunities. Twice they had tries ruled out – both scored by midfielder Levi Aumua – due to forward passes in the buildup play.

“It was just basic errors,” Moana Pasifika captain Solomone Funaki told Sky Sport after the match.

“We let them through with a lucky try in an intercept and things like that, but credit to the Reds, they gave it to us.”

While they didn’t come away with the win, Funaki said he felt privileged to be among the group representing the Pacific nations and helping to promote a pathway for the future.

“I was saying at the start of last year that we were the lucky ones and were grateful to all the legends who paved the way. I was fortunate to be selected as skipper this week and I’m proud of myself and the boys for this opportunity.

“The whole week felt awesome hearing the supporters. It feels great to be home in the Pacific.”

Moana Pasifika weren’t without their chances to turn the heat up against the Reds, but they were lacking in execution, while their scrum was dominated for much of the game.

Defensively, Moana Pasifika made a strong start and forced turnovers deep inside their own territory on early Reds possessions. However, their kicking game welcomed more attacking play from the Reds; when trying to exit they struggled to get the distance on their kicks to truly relieve the pressure and the visitors were happy to go right back on the attack.

Eventually, an offload from Reds halfback Tate McDermott put winger Suliasi Vunivalu through a gap, and he sent his openside flanker Fraser McReight in for the opening try.

The hosts went in just moments later when, instead of kicking to exit their own territory, Moana Pasifika spread it and Fai’ilagi ran into space out wide. He linked up with Lincoln McClutchie, before being rewarded for continuing his run in support.

The hosts would have felt they deserved to be closer than 14 points adrift at halftime, leaking a soft try to Reds hooker Matt Faessler and an intercept to Vunivalu.

Another relatively soft try to Faessler, who peeled off the back a lineout drive to score with little resistance, extended the gap early in the second half, before first-five Lawson Creighton crossed to push the gap to 26 points.

Late tries to Fai’ilagi and Luteru Tolai lessened the margin, but Moana Pasifika fell to their eight loss in a row ahead of a bye next week.

Reds 40 (Matt Faessler 2, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Suliasi Vunivalu, Lawson Creighton tries; Creighton 5 cons)

Moana Pasifika 28 (Miracle Fai’ilagi 2, Danny Toala, Luteru Tolai tries; Lincoln McClutchie 2 cons, D’Angelo Leuila 2 cons)

HT: 28-14