Super Rugby

Head coach Aaron Mauger is counting on the noise of the partisan crowd to get his players over the line in a historic match, the first Moana Pasiifka has played in any of its base countries.

RNZ Pacific reports Mauger hopes that home advantage will give his warriors their first win of the season.

"It has been exciting. The fans are excited. The players are excited," he told RNZ Pacific.

"We have had a good week [in Apia] and the players are focused on the job at hand."

A welcome parade is taking place today and will follow the Police Marching Band to the Government building for the flag-raising ceremony and national anthem.

The public will then be able to meet the Moana Pasifika players after that or at various community events at schools including at Savaii Island, rugby clubs, and villages during the week.

RNZ Pacific reports Moana Pasifika coach Aaron Mauger said his players are keen to play in Apia for the first time in front of a vocal crowd.

A welcoming reception was hosted for the team by Samoa's Minister of Tourism, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster at the STA Fale last night..

The team will host its first ever match in Samoa against the Queensland Reds on 14 April at Apia Park.

"I’m sure there’s plenty of excitement building in Samoa for the game on Friday," said Head Coach Aaron Mauger.

"The team is very excited to play in Samoa, especially our local players who will be able to introduce the team to our aiga in Samoa.

With an early penalty by Mounga and a try to hooker Codie Taylor, the home team looked to be cruising. However, Moana found their way back into the game with in-form centre Levi Aumua crossing for two tries, giving them a 14-10 lead. 

Tagata Pasifika reports Taylor secured another try for the Crusaders pushing out their lead to 17-14. 

But it didn’t last long for the home team, as Timoci Tamatamanawai scored in the corner just before half time, edging the visitors ahead. The try was converted by Lincoln McClutchie, giving Moana a 21-17 lead at the break. 

The All Blacks first-five Richie Mo'unga played a big hand in his 100th match for the Crusaders by converting all five of his side's tries and nailing a penalty.

Moana Pasifika scored three tries to the Crusaders two in the first half to take a 21-17 lead at half time.

Codie Taylor crossed the line twice for the home side, while Levi Aumua also scored a double in the first 40 minutes for Moana Pasifika.

The team travels to Christchurch to take on the defending Super Rugby Pacific champions in round seven of the competition.

Fading off in the last quarter of the game has become a big problem for the side, something they repeated against the Highlanders last weekend in losing 45-17.

RNZ Pacific reports head coach Aaron Mauger said despite the fact that they had limited the Highlanders big ball runners for 60 minutes, the side lost their way in the last 20 minutes.

With an upcoming match against the Highlanders on Friday night, Moana Pasifika are still in the hunt for their first win of the year.

A win for Moana over the Highlanders will be the perfect motivation they’ll need heading to their historic trip to Samoa reports Tagata Pasifika.

Earlier this year, Samoan local Miracle Fai’ilagi was signed to Moana headlining one of their goals in giving back to the Pacific islands.

“This is groundbreaking for us,” Mauger added.

It’s a real milestone for us to take our team and play in front of the fans in the islands”.

Reuters reports the Chiefs had to work hard against a Waratahs side who fought hard but dropped to 1-4 for the season after a try from first-five Bryn Gatland and two from winger Emoni Narawa got the visitors across the line.

Despite failing to claim a bonus point, the Chiefs opened up a six point lead over the Brumbies at the top of the standings with the reigning champion Crusaders lurking in third place a further two points back pending the weekend matches.

"It was a real arm-wrestle," Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane said.

RNZ reports the Drua tackle the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday and Pasifika face the Hurricanes at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland later on the same day.

Both teams are coming off defeats last weekend, albeit in very different ways.

Drua needs focus to win

Keeping the focus and playing basics rugby right are keys to the Drua's campaign if they want to contest the play-offs.

That plus discipline could be the difference of a win or loss against the Highlanders, who are also fighting to keep their hopes alive.

The Force, from Perth, led 25-22 with 22 minutes to play when George Poolman was sin-binned for a lifting tackle on Highlanders fullback Sam Gilbert.

That was the opening the Highlanders - winless after three games this season - needed as they streaked clear to prevail 43-35.

Already depleted, the Highlanders lost All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizzell (groin) in the warm-up and then hooker Andrew Makalio (HIA) early in the game.