Captain James Lay optimistic about Moana Pasifika’s chances in 2024

Moana Pasifika captain James Lay knows the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign will be a tough one for his team but he believes they have a good foundation the team can playoff from.

Lay, who is into his first season with the North Harbour based team, says while playing in the quarterfinals would be great, the team will just focus on week by week games.

He is confident the mix of players they have plus the foundation set by those who had gone before him in the last two years has set the team in good stead.

The tough Manu Samoa prop, who played for the Blues in the competition previously, told RNZ Pacific this week the players are working well together, eager to get into a gruelling season.

"Well you know, finals footy would be great but we're just going to take a week by week, whoever we got in front of us," Lay said at a team press meet on Thursday.

"We know there's going to be a big challenge, particularly based off the last few years.

"I know we haven't got the results or anything but that's not because the boys don't want to win. Everyone wants to win. Hopefully we've got some good details, some good plans and we can just build on the foundations that have already been made."

Lay said he was humbled by the management team's faith in him to lead the team this year even before he has played a game for the side.

His job has been made easier though with a leadership team within the squad that includes former Wallabies Sekope Kepu and Christian Leali'ifano plus Tongan flanker Solomone Funaki.

Former All Black winger Julian Savea and a number of senior Samoan and Tongan internationals are also in the team.

Lay himself has been in the game for a good long time now, having played in New Zealand and Europe while also putting on the blue jersey of Manu Samoa at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

"I think all the experiences I've gained everywhere across the world and playing international footy you get to pick different pieces of other people's games and learn different cultures and different ways of doing things," he said.

"You know, I just try to come in here and keep an open mind and, you know, lean on the other guys. international experience as well.

"We've got Julian Savea, Christian and then you've got Sekope as well. We've got Tongan internationals, Samoan internationals and even from the UK, that's been great for our group as well. So it's awesome."

'We just want to put on performances'

Lay said their pre-season preparation has been tough, with new coaches Tana Umaga, Tom Coventry and Stephen Jones giving them gruelling sessions in the summer heat.

"I'm not gonna lie," he said.

"It's been it's been tough, it's been gruelling. But, yeah, we've been pushed hard by our coaching group.

"It's something that our team really does need, so yeah, it's good."

Lay added the players are all proud to be playing for Moana Pasifika and representing their people of the Pacific.

"Every time we play for a team that's Pasifika based we always understand that there's a definitely a higher bid for us," he said.

"There's our people and that's who we play for at the end of the day.

"And for us, I think it doesn't matter who you are, we just want to put on performances that will make you proud whether you are Tongan, Samoan or Pacific Islander.

"You know, that's wherever you're from. We want to play to the best of our ability and just make our people proud."

Latu believes in team

Meanwhile, Moana Pasifika specialist coach and former 'Ikale Tahi captain Nili Latu believes the team will do well this year.

Latu is the team's ruck defensive and collision coach.

Ensuring they use their aggressiveness well as Pacific islanders in the ruck while also defending well around the fringes of the rucks are situations Latu has been focusing on.

He said he was happy with what he has seen so far and is confident they will be ready for the new season.

"I like to go into the campaign knowing that we are strong enough," Latu said.

"And I think the work has been done so far from the coaches and everybody's buying in.

"We're there to win. But you know we are slowly building as a new organization and I know we'll get there in the end."

Latu believes the challenge as a new coaching team has been exciting but the experience of senior players will help.

"Definitely really important that we have some of the senior boys around just to guide our new players," he said.

"But we're coming along well, you know. As Polynesians we're happy when we are happy and sad when we are sad. We're staying on that buzz of just working hard for each other and it's been awesome."

Latu is also excited about taking Moana Pasifika to Tonga where the side will be playing the Highlanders on 4 May.

"That is exciting as there has never been a Super Rugby game in Tonga," he said.