Super Rugby Pacific

The Blues utility back was the only All Black for his team to run out against the Hurricanes last weekend in their first pre-season fixture of the year. It’s an opportunity that Tuivasa is appreciative of.

“I think making it through the first 40 minutes was the box I wanted to tick,” he says.

“It was good to get some fitness into my game and have some time to watch the clips after to see where I can grow from today.”

The 2018 Dally M medallist was in sparkling touch and continued to push his case for All Blacks selection, creating a try for Beauden Barrett on 48 minutes before slashing through for his own on 69 minutes.

Despite losing hooker Andrew Makalio to a red card for a no-arms tackle in the 22nd minute, the Highlanders managed to keep the Blues at bay for the first half an hour of the contest, taking a 6-0 lead through two Marty Banks penalties.

The Waikato side ran in five tries in Hamilton, leading 27-10 halftime, before pulling away late in the second half.

Weber and number eight Pita Gus Sowakula crossed in the final quarter to snuff out any chance of a comeback from the visitors.

Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick was happy with his side's outstanding peformance.

"That was just a great Chiefs' pack performance," Retallick said.

"We knew the Waratahs led the statistics around the ruck and the breakdown so we knew we had to be tough there."

"Whos got your back? I got your back!" The teams chants echo through Mt Smart stadium signalling the up-coming battle against the NSW Waratahs in round 12 of the DHL Super Rugby Pacific this afternoon.

 Chairman Sir La’auli Michael Jones says welcoming the first membership holders to Mt Smart Stadium is a milestone.

“The original members are here today who believe in this vision. Its been a long time coming.”

Playing at pace, the Hurricanes chalked up a staggering eleven tries to the visitors single consolation effort at Sky Stadium.

Back on home soil, the Wellington side had plenty of room to run in attack, securing a 26-nil lead by half-time.

Fullback Josh Moorby scored a hat-trick, with two tries each to Billy Proctor and Wes Goosen.

Of note, the Hurricanes welcomed veterans Dane Coles and 108-test All Blacks prop Owen Franks off the bench.

Franks was making his Hurricanes debut after recovering from a torn Achilles.

There are nine changes to the starting line-up from the side that took on the Highlanders last week.

"We're preparing for a very physical game this week against a very good Hurricanes team. The boys are really wanting to get out there this week to show the Wellington crowd and our fans in New Zealand what they can do," said Byrne.

In the front row, prop Haereiti Hetet retains his loosehead prop position, joined by Zuriel Togiatama at hooker and Samuela Tawake at tighthead. Isoa Nasilasila partners Sorovakatini Tuifagalele in the second row.

Covid-19 disruptions have led to the postponement of four Moana Pasifika games this season, with the team's last six games coming across a 23-day period to make-up for lost time.

Tuifa'asisina Sir Bryan Williams says it's tested the resilience of players and coaches. 

"They haven't been able to play the same team every game because of the short turnaround, so it's meant that they've been able to blood around about 40 odd players in Super Rugby. 

The game will be Moana Pasifika's first meeting with an Australian team.

They were originally set to make their Australian debut against the Western Force last week in Perth, but the game was cancelled due to Covid concerns.

Moana Pasifika are at the very bottom of the Super Rugby table, having only won one out of their eight games so far.

Their only win came against the Wellington Hurricanes (24 - 19) in round 6.

Head Coach Aaron Mauger said the team is determined to break their losing streak.

Leading 7-3 at half-time, the Crusaders showed their dominance in the second half, scoring immediately after the break and running away with the contest.

Ethan Blackadder scored two tries while Cullen Grace, Bryn Hall, Tamati Williams and Leicester Fainga'anuku all scored one each.

The Crusaders now have six wins from eight matches, and will travel to Sydney to take on the Waratahs this Saturday.

In the afternoon match, the Brumbies beat the Highlanders 28-17.

Trailing 17-0 after half-an-hour, they scored 30 unanswered points to complete a 30-17 win over the Queensland Reds in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Two first half yellow cards didn't help the Canes' cause, as the Queensland side scored a pair of early tries to put themselves in the box seat.

However, once the New Zealand side were back to the full complement, they bagged two tries of their own to be just three points adrift at the break.