Super Rugby Pacific rivals Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua will play each on Saturday night in a highly anticipated matchup at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.
The match is the first meeting between the two teams, and also marks the first time two fully professional Pacific Island clubs will play one another, making it the unofficial final for professional club rugby in the Pacific Islands.
"It's a celebration of both teams inclusion into Super Rugby. We're all on a similar journey. It's going to an exciting occasion to this week. The two teams are pretty evenly matched and it'll be a great spectacle for our fans", said Moana Pasifika Coach Aaron Mauger.
Both teams are currently ranked at the bottom of the Super Rugby table and unable to make the finals. So far, they have both only had a single victory, but produced a spate of exciting near losses and displayed a steady improvement through the course of the competition.
Photo: Photosport
Moana Pasifika captain Sekope Kepu and Mauger said Moana Pasifika and Drua are inspiring future generations of Pacific Island rugby players.
"There's definitely been a mentality shift in the way we look at our games", said Mauger.
"In the last two week, we have been in a position where we had more ball than the opposition, so we're learning to hold the ball and build pressure."
"There's kids in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa who are watching closely."
Kepu emphasized the symbolic importance of the all-Pacific game. Both Moana and Drua are the first Pacific Island franchises to enter the Super Rugby competition, a reflection of the growing stature of Pacific Rugby. Just last year, new eligibility rules allow former Pacific Island All Blacks and Wallabies to represent the countries of their heritage.
"There's kids in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa who are watching closely and want to be a part of this team. I think it's wonderful, it's an addition to the competition", said Kepu
"Because all we're ever trying to do is trying to inspire the next young and next generation so you know kids that are sort of missing out on the academies and all that, will still be pushing for spots on our team and aspire to be in the Moana team and the Drua", he added.
Mauger echoed Kepu's sentiments. He said Moana Pasifika was connecting strongly with the Pacific community despite the challenges of Covid disruptions. The team have had three games cancelled due to Covid. Early in the season, they spent over a week without training.
Moana Pasifika Loading supplies into a container bound for Tonga. Photo: Moana Pasifika
"It's pretty special. In the context of what we're doing and we often use the phrase we're more than just a rugby team. We're just, we're so much more. It certainly anchors us, so many challenges, so many things thrown at us, but our boys keep fronting up with a smile. they keep giving their absolute best."
"Just last week, a young lady approached and talked to me about the influence that our team is having on her family's life. Talking about inspiring people and connecting them. It's really special."
"Young Men Make Mistakes"
Mauger confirmed reports centre Levi Aumua and lock Samuel Slade have been stood down from the Drua matchup because of misconduct but did not reveal the reasons why.
"Both guys have owned it, they know they slipped up and they're both quality men.. they know they got it wrong."
"It's not a serious misconduct, it's just enough for each of the guys to stand down for a week…it's really important that we uphold the highest standards of discipline."
"Young men make mistakes and you find yourself in a situation where you get it wrong, there's got to be a consequence of that."