What the stats say
The Waratahs (four wins from six games) and Moana (two wins from six games) are desperate to get the job done in Auckland. Here’s a few little stats courtesy of Opta to consider before kick-off.
Moana Pasifika have won their last two matches against the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific after losing the first meeting in 2022. The Waratahs are the only team Pasifika hold a winning record against in the competition.
This is the first time Moana Pasifika and the NSW Waratahs will face off at North Harbour Stadium.
Moana Pasifika have won two of their past three games, including a 45–29 win over the Crusaders last week. They’ll be aiming to claim back-to-back wins for the first time in Super Rugby Pacific.
Pasifika have conceded exactly 31 points in each of their two games at North Harbour Stadium this season — a 40–31 win over the Hurricanes in round four, and a 29–31 loss to the Highlanders in Round 3.
The home team has won each of the NSW Waratahs’ last six Super Rugby Pacific games. The Waratahs are currently on a six-game losing streak in away fixtures.
Three of the Waratahs’ last four matches have ended in defeats by 20+ points, including a 12–57 loss to the Hurricanes in round seven — their heaviest loss in the past four seasons.
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar. Will he be a happy or a grumpy man by full-time? Credit: Getty Images
How the teams shape up
A big shift required today from Tahs No.3 Daniel Botha with Taniela Tupou coming off the bench.
The head-to-head battle between Ardie Savea and Charlie Gamble is mouthwatering.
And obviously keep an eye on Suaalii at the back today. I suspect he’ll try and go looking for the ball a bit more than he did against the Hurricanes. More touches the merrier for the Tahs.
If Rugby Australia want Tupou to return to world-class form they should let him quit Waratahs
By Paul Cully
Taniela Tupou has been written off extensively after a relatively quiet start to Super Rugby Pacific, but he just looks like a player who could become world-class again in the right team.
That’s not to say the Waratahs are doing anything wrong, but Tupou has just looked a little lost in recent years. He seems bereft of the purpose so clearly evident at Moana Pasifika, where players who might have been on the fringes of the five New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific teams have found another level.
Tupou, who is off contract this year, will no doubt be in demand overseas but does he really want to put himself through the grind of long northern hemisphere seasons, where his value is likely to be greatest? (Japanese clubs don’t typically spend heavily on overseas props).
READ THE FULL COLUMN FROM PAUL CULLY HERE
Waratahs prop Taniela Tupou will come off the bench.
Who’s your money on?
Hello and welcome
G’day rugby lovers.
Welcome to our live coverage of today’s clash between the Waratahs and Moana Pasifika.
It’s a crunch game for both teams. Can the Waratahs bounce back from their horror defeat to the Hurricanes? Are NSW pretenders or the real deal this season?
Is Joseph Suaalii going to fire a shot? All will be revealed.
Kick-off is at 12.05pm AEDT.
Joey Walton copped a yellow card last week against the Hurricanes.Credit: Getty Images
