Moana Pasifika will play the Chiefs in Pukekohe as final preparation for this season's Super Rugby Pacific tournament.

Moana Pasifika has named a strong team to take on the Chiefs in their final pre-season match of 2025, at Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe.

The team is ready to end pre-season on a high before a two-week Australia road trip to start the DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.

It will be a special occasion for newly appointed Captain Ardie Savea who will play for the first time in Moana colours.

Electric fullback Danny Toala also returns to the playing field for the first time this pre-season, set to bring impact off the bench. 

Most of those who got a run in the team's first pre-season game, get another opportunity to put it all out on the floor.  

Moana Pasifika is excited to take Super Rugby to the South of Auckland and put on a show for the Pukekohe faithful.  

"We're looking forward to finishing our pre-season with an exciting match in Pukekohe", said Moana Pasifika Head Coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga.

"The Chiefs are a talented team and we want to put up a good challenge and play an entertaining and determined style of rugby." 

"We'll be meeting them a few times this season so it's good for us to get our reps in."  

Moana Pasifika and the Chiefs will meet again on March 21st in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
 
Moana Pasifika Team

1. James Lay
2. Sama Malolo  
3. Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou  
4. Tom Savage  
5. Ofa Tauatevalu  
6. Miracle Faiilagi  
7. Sione Havili Talitui  
8. Lotu Inisi  
9. Jonathan Taumateine  
10. Jackson Garden-Bachop
11. Kyren Taumoefolau  
12. Lalomilo Lalomilo   
13. Fine Inisi  
14. Solomon Alaimalo   
15. William Havili
  
Replacements  
16. Patrick Pellegrini 
17. Julian Savea 
18. Sione Mafile'o 
19. Danny Toala 
20. Ola Tauelangi 
21. Niko Jones 
22. Losi Filipo 
23. Aisea halo 
24. Allan Craig  
25. Tito Tuipulotu  
26. Tuna Tuitama  
27. Millennium Sanerivi 
28. Tevita Ofa 
29. Ardie Savea (c) 
30. Samuel Slade 
31. Semisi Tupou Tailoa  

Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima and Tupou Vaa’i are among the Chiefs’ All Blacks representatives set to see game time in the club’s second and final pre-season match against Moana Pasifika on Saturday.


The trio form part of the group named for the game at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe, which will be played across two 40-minute halves.


Emoni Narawa, Kaleb Trask, Jacob Norris, Samipeni Finau, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia and Malachi Wrampling are also expected to see their first action of 2025.


The game serves as the final hit-out before the Gallagher Chiefs open their DHL Super Rugby Pacific campaign against the Blues on Saturday, February 15 at Eden Park.


Tickets to the Gallagher Chiefs v Moana Pasifika pre-season match are available here.


Chiefs First half squad starters:
1. Jared Proffit 
2. Bradley Slater 
3. Sione Ahio 
4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi 
5. Josh Lord 
6. Simon Parker 
7. Jahrome Brown 
8. Luke Jacobson
9. Xavier Roe 
10. Josh Jacomb 
11. Leroy Carter 
12. Rameka Poihipi 
13. Daniel Rona 
14. Gideon Wrampling 
15. Kaleb Trask 

First half replacements:
27. Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia 
17. Ollie Norris 
18. Benet Kumeroa
36. Reuben O’Neill 
35. James Thompson
32. Manaaki Selby-Rickit 
33. Jacob Norris 
37. Charlie Sinton 
30. Gibson Popoalii 
23. Peniasi Malimali 

Second half starters:
17. Ollie Norris 
16. Taine Kolose 
36. Reuben O’Neill 
19. Jimmy Tupou 
20. Tupou Vaa’i 
34. Samipeni Finau 
28. Malachi Wrampling 
26. Kaylum Boshier 
21. Cortez Ratima 
31. Damian McKenzie 
38. Quinn Tupaea 
39. Anton Lienert-Brown 
25. Manasa Mataele 
22. Emoni Narawa 
10. Josh Jacomb 

Second half replacements:
27. Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia 
18. Benet Kumeroa
32. Manaaki Selby-Rickit 
35. James Thompson
33. Jacob Norris 
37. Charlie Sinton 
30. Gibson Popoalii 
23. Peniasi Malimali 
24. Oscar Koller