Danny Toala of Moana Pasifika in the tackle of Noah Hotham of the Crusaders amd Fletcher Newell of the Crusaders during the Super Rugby Pacific. Photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz
Moana Pasifika have named their best available match-day 23 to meet the Waratahs at home in North Harbour on Saturday.
Captain Ardie Savea, who moves to openside flanker for the clash, told reporters in Albany, "the job is not done", as they search for their first back-to-back win in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The side defeated the Crusaders at home in Christchurch last Saturday, with Savea adding during the post-match conference that they will need to back that up.
"The job is not done; we're hungry for more," Savea said.
"We know the Waratahs will come out strong like we did last week. All we want is a performance that we are proud of as a team.
"There's still plenty of rugby to play and we're focused on taking it one game at a time."
The Waratahs are smarting from the 57-12 hiding they received from the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium on Friday night.
Tough flanker Mircale Faiilagi has been rested, and rugged number eight Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa enters the lineup.
Head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga has rung the changes, solidifying the backline with starters and bench players who are expected to make the moves in the second spell.
Moana Pasifika's Fans' Player of 2024 Fine Inisi has been named to make his first appearance of the year off the bench.
Inisi has missed the action so far, only appearing during the off-season, because of injury.
Speedster Kyren Taumoefolau returns to the right wing, with the midfield pair of Lalomilo Lalomilo and Danny Toala inside him.
Toala was dominant against the Crusaders last week, recording a try, running over 47 metres, making nine carries, and won a turnover ball in the collissions.
Former Waratahs squad member Ola Tauelangi will also bring impact off the bench.
A win over the Hurricanes and a close loss to the Highlanders have been the results for Moana Pasifika so far.
The away win over the Crusaders last weekend would have lifted their spirits to new heights too.
But Savea said they will just keep doing what they need to do and enjoy the game they love.
The side will still be without 2024 captain Sione Havili Talitui, James Lay, Julian Savea, and Lotu Inisi, all of whim are still injured.
Faiilagi (hamstring) and centre Pepesana Patafilo (concussion) are both out of the match as well.
The Waratahs have named a strong lineup as well, but will be missing Max Jergensen, Jake Gordon and Dave Porecki, who are also out injured.
**Moana Pasifika v NSW Waratahs**
Kick-off: 2.05pm Saturday, 5 April
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland at 2.05pm
_Live blog updates on RNZ Sport_
**Moana:** 1.Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, 4. Sam Slade, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Semisi Paea, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Kyren Taumoefolau, 15. William Havili; **_Reserves:_** 16\. Sama Malolo, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Ola Tauelangi, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Fine Inisi.
**Waratahas:** 1. Angus Bell, 2. Ethan Dobbins, 3. Daniel Botha, 4. Hugh Sinclair (c), 5. Ben Grant, 6. Rob Leota, 7. Charlie Gamble, 8. Langi Gleeson, 9. Teddy Wilson, 10. Lawson Creighton, 11. Triston Reilly, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 13. Henry O'Donnell, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii; **_Reserves:_** 16\. Julian Heaven, 17. Isaac Kailea, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Felix Kalapu, 20. Jamie Adamson, 21. Jack Grant, 22. Jack Bowen, 23. Joey Walton.