The Moana Pasifika Franchise

[Dan54]

Got changed last week I think WOB, part of getting ready to fly south.

 

[HJ Nelson]

Live rugby on Stan now. Pasifika v Chiefs

 

[Marce]

A good start for these lads:

Im not sure if this side s*cks or the Kiwis are too good again. Probably the second one and we have to pray for the Aussie sides this year, just like the last seasons...

 

[Dan54]

I wouldn't take too much out of it, their first game together, and a Chief's team that looks ok to me. I not expecting a lot from them in first year (or Drua) as actually having played at this level makes a huge difference.

 

[dru]

I am unconvinced that a trial with that score line will have achieved a whole lot for MP (Moana Pasifika).

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Sir BeeGee mentioned that 70% of the squad are new to this level of footy & I think at least a few are straight out of Club or schools so it's a steep learning curve. Maybe the enforced bubble environment they're going into could be a real silver lining for them. The last thing we need is for them to be another Sunwolves or God forbid Kings.

 

[dru]

Sir BeeGee mentioned that 70% of the squad are new to this level of footy & I think at least a few are straight out of Club or schools so it's a steep learning curve. Maybe the enforced bubble environment they're going into could be a real silver lining for them. The last thing we need is for them to be another Sunwolves or God forbid Kings.

Strangely enough "may as well just call it "The Southern Kings" "has only 8.5% of the vote. Can only wish MP (Moana Pasifika) all the best and fingers crossed that big leaps are in front of them.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I am unconvinced that a trial with that score line will have achieved a whole lot for MP (Moana Pasifika).

Purpose of a trial is to get some practice of combinations etc ahead of start of the season. I don’t think hence avoiding a trial because of the score line is right way to go. They need to see what playing a top super rugby side is like and yeh scoreline probably reflects the gulf and what will happen in super rugby. Better to get that reality check now.

 

[dru]

Purpose of a trial is to get some practice of combinations etc ahead of start of the season. I don’t think hence avoiding a trial because of the score line is right way to go. They need to see what playing a top super rugby side is like and yeh scoreline probably reflects the gulf and what will happen in super rugby. Better to get that reality check now.

I hear you RN. I'm just not sure sure what combinations get any real practice here - certainly not D. Nor attack really. It's a bit aof a training park day for the Chiefs so a minor chance to run combinations in action, not much better than the training park though.

Look it's just one trial in pre-season. Hopefully it end up meaning nothing.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I hear you RN. I'm just not sure sure what combinations get any real practice here - certainly not D. Nor attack really. It's a bit aof a training park day for the Chiefs so a minor chance to run combinations in action, not much better than the training park though.

Look it's just one trial in pre-season. Hopefully it end up meaning nothing.

I infer you are concerned what the scoreline might do to MP (Moana Pasifika). Again as a trial I suspect not much.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Sir BeeGee mentioned that 70% of the squad are new to this level of footy & I think at least a few are straight out of Club or schools so it's a steep learning curve. Maybe the enforced bubble environment they're going into could be a real silver lining for them. The last thing we need is for them to be another Sunwolves or God forbid Kings.

With 70% of the squad new to this level of footy I think you make it pretty clear they will be this seasons whipping boys. Got to start somewhere but gees sounds like they will need to continue to recruit well in coming seasons

 

[Adam84]

Pasifka played as well as expected, going to take them a few games just go get familiar with each other.

 

[Dan54]

With 70% of the squad new to this level of footy I think you make it pretty clear they will be this seasons whipping boys. Got to start somewhere but gees sounds like they will need to continue to recruit well in coming seasons

I actually think Drua will find similar situation as aren't they basically the team that played NRC a couple of years back? I hope not, but anyone who thinks new teams walk into comp looking like they will must have have fairly short memories, as WOB says Sunwolves , Southern Kings, and I seem to recall WF and Rebels looked pretty scrathie in first year or two. As I have said being caught in the NZ part of super until TT may be fairly painful for them for a little while.
Actually when the camera was on coaches box I wondered if Filo Tiatia was having a sense of deja vu, as I seem to recall he was assistant coach of Sunwolves when they started.

 

[RugbyReg]

At least the Drua have some combinations. I think they’ll be better than Pacifika. They probably should have swapped pools.

 

[Marce]

God forbid Kings

 

[Rugbynutter39]

With 70% of the squad new to this level of footy I think you make it pretty clear they will be this seasons whipping boys. Got to start somewhere but gees sounds like they will need to continue to recruit well in coming seasons

At least the Drua have some combinations. I think they’ll be better than Pacifika. They probably should have swapped pools.

I think yes Fiji will have easier time of it and I think will be a little more competitive against oz sides (or at least the weaker ones). As you say Reg they will benefit from more combinations. Not expecting Fiji to make final 8 but also would not be surprised if they perform better then expected. But realistically with step up to super rugby I expect them to be cellar dwellers for first couple of years but in say 3-5 years could well be one of the top clubs if they can retain local talent and lure more Fijians back home from Japan and Europe.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Confirmation by way of OIA requests that Sport NZ provided the necessary $4Mn underwrite to secure MP (Moana Pasifika)'s licence plus a $500K operating grant, a $1Mn establishment grant that doesn't need to be repaid & a $3Mn loan facility. In today's Hurld but paywalled.

 

[dru]

Confirmation by way of OIA requests that Sport NZ provided the necessary $4Mn underwrite to secure MP (Moana Pasifika)'s licence plus a $500K operating grant, a $1Mn establishment grant that doesn't need to be repaid & a $3Mn loan facility. In today's Hurld but paywalled.

That's great work from NZ.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ it is, shame they had to be so damn secretive about it. It's public money after all.

 

[Adam84]

Similar to Aus Govt ‘sponsorship’ of Drua, NZ are just a lot less transparent and vocal about opposing ’foreign’ influence in the region.