Jackson Garden-Bachop trains with Moana Pasifika in Brisbane ahead of their clash against the Reds on Friday night. Photo: Moana Pasifika
Moana Pasifika head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga has kept faith in his players, who lost by a single point to the Western Force in Perth last weekend.
He has made one lone change to the side that will face the Reds in Brisbane on Friday night, in round two of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Outside back Losi Filipo is the only change, and he gets the chance to come off the bench this weekend for his first Moana Pasifika cap.
Umaga said Filipo is an exciting player who played for Manu Samoa, helping them secure a spot in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Captain Ardie Savea, who expressed disappointment with the first-round loss against the Force, especially after the side had kept the lead until the last five minutes of the game, will lead the side again.
His opening round combination with loosies Sione Havili Talitui and Miracle Failangi is something Umaga is counting on to defuse the power plays he expects from the Reds.
Moana Pasifika scrum coach Pauliasi Manu said the Queensland Reds will provide a tough contest, having won five of their last seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
"We're looking forward to the challenge against the Reds," he said.
"We've got things we'll look to work on, particularly our ruck and set piece."
He said the team will take the lessons from last week's 45-44 loss against the Force into this game, highlighting the impact of the bench in last week's scrum.
"When Tito Tuipulotu and Chris Apoua came on last week, I believe they were dominant. I saw it in their face, they were so keen," Manu stated.
"It's both a mental and physical game. If you're not mentally wanting to pack down a scrum I believe you can't physically do it.
"When we lost last week the boys were shattered. For us coaches when we see players like that, it shows us that it means a lot.
"We've done the hard work and training, and we've ticked the right boxes so we just need to go out there and do it."
Moana players preparing for the Reds in Brisbane, includes captain Ardie Savea (back) and prop forward James Lay. Photo: Moana Pasifika
Reds wary
Reds tough man Harry Wilson said they might be the bookies' favourite, but Queensland won't be under any illusions about the challenge presented by Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium.
Wilson, who will battle Savea at number eight, told Australian Rugby he is itching to get his Super Rugby Pacific campaign underway on home soil.
"It was awesome to see the other (Aussie) teams) get out and the wins on the weekend…but there's nothing better than playing at Suncorp Stadium.
"As Reds, we pride ourselves playing there and it's been quite a while since our last home game," Wilson told reporters.
"Moana are a massive forward pack, really good scrum and good set piece, so that'll be an exciting battle for us and obviously they've got a few pretty quick wingers too.
"But it's going to be a massive challenge in the backrow when you've got Ardie at number eight plus their six and seven were unbelievable on the weekend and those centres are direct and hard-running
"I urge all the public to get out there and support us this weekend. It's a such massive year for rugby in Australia and Queensland and we just want to start it the right way."
Wilson also noted "hard-running" Moana midfielders Lalomilo Lalomilo and Pepesana Patafilo who outshone their Force counterparts despite the loss.
His teammate and centre Josh Flook said new playmaker Jackson Garden-Bachop and the outside backs are strong runners.
"I think (Moana flyhalf Jackson) Garden-Bachop really adds to their game as a playmaker and lets the outside backs do their thing," Flook said.
"From 13 and outwards have really good feet and really good speed so you just can't let them get room. They're big aggressive players who want the ball in space so we'll have to work in ones and twos to shut them down and not give them the space they want.
"They're going to get the line break here and there and then it's about that hustle to get back on the line and set before they do so we can go after them again."
Kick-off: Friday, 9.35pm NZ time
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Moana Pasifika: 1 James Lay 2 Millennium Sanerivi 3 Feteleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou 4 Samuel Slade 5 Allan Craig 6 Miracle Faillagi 7 Sione Havili Talitui 8 Ardie Savea (c) 9 Jonathan Taumateine 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop 11 Kyren Taumoefolau 12 Lalomilo Lalomilo 13 Pepesana Patafilo 14 Solomon Alaimalo 15 William Havili. Reserves: 16 Sama Malolo 17 Tito Tuipulotu 18 Chris Apoua 19 Tom Savage 20 Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa 21 Melani Matavao 22 Danny Toala 23 Losi Filipo
Reds: 1 Sef Fa'agase 2 Richie Asiata 3 Massimo De Lutiis 2 Josh Canham 5 Ryan Smith 6 Seru Uru 7 Fraser McReight 8 Harry Wilson 9 Tate McDermott (c) 10 Tom Lynagh 11 Filipo Daugunu 12 Hunter Paisami 13 Josh Flook 14 Tim Ryan 15 Jock Campbell. Reserves: 16 Matt Faessler 17 George Blake 18 Zane Nonggorr 19 Angus Blyth 20 Joe Brial 21 Kalani Thomas 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips 23 Lachie Anderson
