Moana Pasifika

The match will be the second time in Super Rugby history that the two sides will clash in the opening round.

Super Rugby Pacific is back after a real return to form last year, with the competition kicking off in Dunedin on 13 February.

A strong sense of purpose is pumping through the Moana Pasifika squad as they prepare for the upcoming Super Rugby campaign. Audio

Head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga announced his Super Rugby Pacific squad on Thursday.

The Fijian Drua will host Moana Pasifika in the opening round of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific in Lautoka in February next year.

"I think it will be a huge loss if Moana wasn't in any rugby competition."

Ardie Savea and Isoa Nasilasila received top honours at their club awards night this week.

While the calculators may be required to determine the top six for 2025, the easiest equation for Moana is to simply win in Wellington.

There was one thing both Fa'alogo Tana Umaga and Ardie Savea agreed on about the Chiefs on Saturday night: Moana Pasifika still need to grow.

Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan says Moana have "taken a big step forward", knocking down Super Rugby Pacific heavyweights this year.

Patrick Pellegrini maybe small in stature but what he does on the field has caught the attention of many - both within and outside the Moana Pasifika set up.

Super Rugby has awarded the All Blacks toughman the inagaural 'Player of the Year' award, with two rounds still left to go in the normal weekly rounds.

The 27-year-old scrumhalf has become a key cog in Fa'alogo Tana Umaga's 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

The Moana Pasifika head coach says the "team is feeling refreshed and ready for the challenge" on Saturday.

Both teams showed a lot of fight in their round 12 outings, registering wins by coming from behind to defeat their opponents.