Moana Pasifika 2024

[African Monkey]

Looks like Tom Savage is the Gloucester player. @MiketheSnow @Dodge or any other northern hemisphere rugby followers, could you tell us more about this guy? I don't know anything about him, despite the many years experience under his belt.

[Auckman]

@African-Monkey - YouTube says he did a big hit 7yrs ago

[Stargazer]

Comment from MP on their instagram:

Correction - Iakopo Mapu

Couldn't crack the HB squad, but was great in club rugby. Would be something if he's in the MP squad. He plays mostly at no. 8.

[Tim]

Did they lose tight five players to overseas contracts, or did they have a clean out?

[Bovidae]

MP needed to improve their scrum so I would assume the big changes at prop were to do just that. We'll see.

[Stargazer]

@Tim At the end of the 2023 season, there were reports that a large group of players didn't want to re-sign. So I assume many of these players hoped to get picked up by other franchises, or to sign overseas (if that didn't happen).

Obviously, the new coach may also have wanted to replace a few players.

[sparky]

They’ve lost most of their best players. I think it’s going to be a difficult season for them.

[taniwharugby]

I guess for MP being more of a mix of PI players, probably lacks a bit of identity, while the Drua are at least on the surface, a Fijian team.

[Nepia]

Why the fuck are MP signing an old englishman?

I don't think they should be allowed to waste their 20% on journeyman from overseas.

[Stargazer]

@Nepia Yeah, I don't get it either. He'll get a huge culture shock at MP.

[African Monkey]

@Nepia Yup not a fan of it either.

[Bovidae]

They are moving their base to North Harbour Stadium. Home venue(s) are still to be announced.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/133273738/same-challenges-but-new-approach-from-tana-umaga-at-moana-pasifika

[Dan54]

@Nepia said in Moana Pasifika 2024:

Why the fuck are MP signing an old englishman?

I don't think they should be allowed to waste their 20% on journeyman from overseas.

I wondered that, but guess they haven't got a line of players wanting to come in??

[mikedogz]

https://moanapasifika.co.nz/moana-pasifika-expand-reach-with-new-match-schedule/?fbclid=IwAR0BvoDGalyCCt1gk7RKWC6kzbv5DefNJ_eqIJNe3hmCuCXofivjS2ocYN0

[Stargazer]

@mikedogz I hope that remaining home game will be played in Tonga or Samoa, but if it won't, I hope it will be in Napier. Not holding my breath.

[frugby]

@Stargazer said in Moana Pasifika 2024:

@mikedogz I hope that remaining home game will be played in Tonga or Samoa, but if it won't, I hope it will be in Napier. Not holding my breath.

It is an international venue.

[mikedogz]

[mikedogz]

https://moanapasifika.co.nz/moana-pasifika-to-play-historic-home-game-in-tonga/?fbclid=IwAR0xkAuI7ieSkwXpmLSoUcxapzFYCPduZZk0XbzsmmzHbipZlzkNepbJoTA

[Duluth]

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2024/01/rugby-moana-pasifika-recruit-julian-savea-circles-hurricanes-date-on-super-rugby-pacific-schedule.html

Julian is a bit shitty with the Canes

[Winger]

@Duluth said in Moana Pasifika 2024:

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2024/01/rugby-moana-pasifika-recruit-julian-savea-circles-hurricanes-date-on-super-rugby-pacific-schedule.html

Julian is a bit shitty with the Canes

Good that he's still got the fire in his belly

But based on NPC form his time is up. Esp as a wing. Maybe he can make it as a 2nd 5 but even for center he seems too slow.

It does seem like the Canes stuffed up with letting him know though but understandable with a new coach being appointed. And Julian in the, at best, 50/50 category.