Ardie Savea during the Highlanders v Moana Pasifika, Super Rugby Pacific match, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. Photo: Martin Hunter/ActionPress
Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea says they want to win the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific title, but to do so they will need to win their next matches one at a time.
That was his message after Melani Matavao scored the decider to give the side a 34-29 win over the Highlanders at the Forsyth Barr stadium in Dunedin.
The Sunday afternoon clash ended after Matavo charged down a clearing kick close to the Highlanders tryline, collected the bouncing ball and dived over to score.
It gave the visitors their first win over the Highlanders in the series since 2022.
The win shoots the North Harbour side into sixth spot on the Super Rugby Pacific competition standings with 24 points.
That is two points fewer than the Hurricanes who sit in fifth place and four points behind the Reds in fourth.
Moana will have a bye week next weekend, play the Blues at home the weekend after, then take on the Chiefs in Hamilton and the Hurricanes in Wellington for their last two matches.
Savea said the pathway was clear for them.
"We want to win the championship but first we gotta make the top six," Savea said.
"And to make the top six we gotta win each week. We did that today, still think it can be better even on my behalf as a leader. I put the team under pressure by giving penalties away so I need to reflect on that myself.
"We take the dub [win] today, we go home, hug our loved ones, spend some quality time with our families, reset away from footy and we come back to play the Blues at home."
He thanked divine intervention and praised the players for staying in the game.
"First and foremost would like to thank the Lord Jesus Christ, would not be here if not for him," Savea said.
"I am exhausted and tired but also satisfied.
"It's not nice playing the game when it is going back and forth. We'd rather be in a good lead but that's the beauty of footy and that's credit to the Landers boys who every year, every season, every game never give up.
"I am just proud of my boys who against all odds, you know we have faith as small as a seed and that seed can move mountains and like what I have said the belief and confidence in the boys is just awesome."
'Frustrated'
A last minute attack by Highlanders co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai was not able to save the side from going down to Moana, who themselves were staring at defeat just two minutes earlier.
As the ball floated over the touchline from the Highlanders' desperate last second attack down the sideline, the whistle sounded, sending Highlanders player sinking to their knees.
Tavatavanawai said they just allowed his former team too much space through ill-discipline.
"Frustrated," he said, when asked what his initial reactions are to the result.
"We got in ourselves and just the little details we did not execute that let them in the game.
"Our discipline kept letting them into the game. We know they are a big team, momentum team and we kept giving away penalties and let them in."
He said they will also go back, reset, spend time with their families during their bye week and return refreshed for another shot at their next opponent.
Tight first 40
Two tries apiece were claimed by the two sides in the first half, but Moana Pasifika led 17-12 at halftime.
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Knepkeens had registered the home side's first try after a blunder by their visitors just after play started.
But Moana Pasifika struck back with tries to the midfield pairing of Danny Toala and Lalomino Lalomino.
Fullback William Havili converted a penalty that gave the side 17 points.
It was a tight game but the team from North Harbour showed more variation and flair, with captain Ardie Savea leading them upfront.
Highlanders' co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai also featured prominently for his side, winning a number of turnovers and continued his lead in the competition's breakdown turnovers.
While both teams were steady in the scrum battles Moana Pasifika were able to win possession off some of the Highlanders lineouts.
Jonah Lowe claimed one for the home team as well in the half.
Second half battle
Savea claimed a remarkable one man try in the 45th minute when he grubbered the ball, picked up his own kick and dived over, sliding over the white line and leaving his side with 22 points on the scoreboard.
That came after Havili was sent off for what was deemed be an illegal tackle, and had to spend 10 minutes on the naughty player's chair.
Luckily for Havili, the yellow card remained just that, and he was able to reclaim his spot on the field.
Halfback Folau Fakatava - who this week signed for Highlanders until 2027 - set up Lowe's second try with a no-look back pass that sent the winger over the Moana Pasifika line as the hosts upped their tempo.
That try saw the team with levelled scores at 22-all with 27 minutes to go.
Moana Pasifika players celebrate after beating the Highlanders. Photo: Martin Hunter/ActionPress
Smelling blood the Highlanders came alive after the try, varying their game between their pack and sending searching kicks into their opposition's territory.
But basic errors hindered their push to take the lead.
Moana Pasifika, on the other hand, kept banging away and claimed a critical scrum penalty in the 60th minute which set them up for another attack.
Play seesawed from end to end as the two teams tried to outdo each other and get the advantage they needed on the scoreboard.
Moana number six Miracle Failangi then dived over in the 65th minute off a maul, with Savea sending a pass basketball style to winger Kyren Taumoefolau, who fed Failangi who bumped off a defender and reached over the line, giving Moana a 27-22 lead.
Savea then won a decisive turn over in the 68th minute which saw his team lined up again inside the Highlanders half but a knock on gave the hosts a counter-attacking chance, and the ensuing play resulted in a penalty to the other side.
Referee Paul Williams then awarded Tavatavanawai another penalty in the 70th after the Fijian heritage player claimed a ball off a tackle. The ensuing maul from the lineout saw replacement Jack Taylor dive over, tying the scoreboard.
Another replacement, Taine Robinson, converted the spot kick to send the home side to a 29-27 lead.
Then in the 74th minute replacement halfback Matavao charged down a clearing kick from Robinson, collected the bouncing ball and dived over the line to claim Moana's winning try.
Pellegrini converted from the sideline as Highlanders fans watched in shock.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
