Ardie Savea of Moana Pasifika against the Chiefs at FMG Stadium on Saturday 24 May 2025. Photo: Jeremy Ward
The pain from the players was palpable as Moana Pasifika made the trip home back over the Bombays.
They had just been dealt a stark reality check form the Chiefs, in the form of an 85-7 annihilation.
"It was a quiet bus ride home," admits Moana first five Jackson Garden-Bachop.
However, despite the Hamilton humiliation, Moana's fairytale season is still alive.
Not only is redemption on the minds of Moana, but history.
"It definitely stung... but you have to move forward pretty quickly, try and flush it and then get onto the 'Canes."
While the calculators may be required to determine the top six for 2025, the easiest equation for Moana is to simply win in Wellington.
"We want to redeem ourselves and perform the way that we know that we can. If we do that, we'll give ourselves every chance to win, if this is our last game, we want to leave it all out there."
The former Hurricane is expecting an emotional homecoming, as well as a passionate response form his team-mates.
"The thing we talked about is that the weekend was that it was an anomaly for us. We didn't become a bad rugby team overnight. We still have belief in what we have been doing because it has worked for us."
Garden-Bachop said coach Tana Umaga has encouraged his players not to bury the pain of the defeat.
"The main message going from up top was just feel the hurt. We need to, it's not good enough to perform like that, but also just back our game back what we've been working on all year and just make the most of this this week. If we don't perform it, it'll be our last one."
Stuck in a fierce battle for the number ten jersey with Patrick Pellegrini, Garden-Bachop said the competition has been positive for his game.
"I'm enjoying it. Pat's had a hell of a year. He's been one of the form tens of the comp, so I've just been sort of in his back here giving him a little bit of knowledge everywhere I can. But he's doing some stuff that not everyone can do."
Garden-Bachop said missing out on the top six would somewhat take the gloss of their stellar season.
"I think we'd be disappointed, but it would just be down to us. We've got the opportunity and control to take the playoff spot and if we don't get it, it'll just be on us, we're doing everything we can."
