Captain Ardie Savea says he would “run through brick walls” for Moana Pasifika after leading the historical Super Rugby strugglers to the verge of their first play-offs appearance.
All Blacks back-row forward Savea was in imperious form as Moana notched a stunning maiden win over Auckland Blues on Saturday.
The 27-21 upset of the defending champions lifted Savea’s side above the Blues into sixth in the 11-team table with two weekends to go in the regular season. The top six advance.
Moana’s improvement has been a headline-grabber in a campaign dominated by ACT Brumbies, Waikato Chiefs and Canterbury Crusaders who are almost certain to be the three top qualifiers for the playoffs first round in early June.
The top three will host teams ranked fourth to sixth — at the moment Queensland Reds, Wellington Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika — with the winners and the top-seeded loser going through to the semi-finals.
The Reds and Hurricanes square off in Brisbane next week in a match likely to determine who finishes fourth.
But most intrigue surrounds the final play-off berth, with Savea driven to help Moana create history.
The 96-Test forward was a shock off-season signing for a team set up to provide a professional pathway for players of Pasifika heritage.
They won only seven of 35 games in their first three seasons, something Savea said needed to change if they were to inspire young players of Samoan, Tongan and Cook Island descent.
“I don’t know if you guys have been in that position when you wholeheartedly believe in something, so you give it your all,” Savea told reporters after Saturday’s home match in Albany, just northwest of Auckland.
Brothers in arms
“That’s me right now, being with this team. And when it’s more than a game to me, I run through brick walls with them.
“The brothers that you could say have come from nothing, they’re certainly showing people that they are something.”
Wing Kyren Taumoefolau crossed for three tries against the Blues.
But that could not overshadow the contribution of the 2023 world player of the year Savea, who made numerous surging runs and snatched a wealth of possession at the breakdown.
Moana and the Blues are level on 28 points but the Blues have only one game to play.
Savea’s side have two, although both are challenging away fixtures at Waikato Chiefs and Wellington Hurricanes.
The Brumbies, who had a tense 24-14 win over the Reds in Canberra on Saturday, lead the standings on 43 points but have only one game remaining.
The Chiefs and Crusaders, who are both two points behind, play twice more.
Brumbies captain and tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa limped off with a calf problem, a worry for the Wallabies with the three Tests against the British and Irish Lions beginning in July.
Western Force and New South Wales Waratahs both lost to drop out of realistic play-off contention while Fijian Drua and Otago Highlanders are already eliminated.
An irate Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said there were “systematic” problems after his side lost 48-33 to Canterbury Crusaders in Sydney.
“There are some people who are too comfortable. That needs to change,” McKellar said.
