Crusaders beat Moana Pasifika 38-21 as Tavatavanawai scores twice

Crusaders beat Moana Pasifika 38-21 as Tavatavanawai scores twice

By Alipate Narawa
08/04/2023
Codie Taylor's two tries helped the Crusaders beat a gritty Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby on Friday. -AAP Image

Richie Mo'unga got the win to mark his 100th match for the Crusaders, but not before overcoming an almighty scare against the Moana Pasifika.

Indeed, a repeat of their shock loss to Fijian Drua looked on for much of the night, before the Crusaders rallied and beat the visitors 38-21 in Christchurch on last night.

They needed all the Mo'unga magic they could get, too, given they produced yet another clunky performance and never got into a groove ahead of next week’s bye.

Moana Pasifika played the better rugby last night as they led well into the second half.

Led by wrecking balls Levi Aumua and Timoci Tavatavanawai, they scored three fine tries to grab an unlikely 21-17 lead at halftime.

However, they eventually cracked under the set piece as the host dominated the scrums.

Head coach Scott Robertson sure would have been a relieved man, not that he can afford to sit back during the bye week.

Mo'unga sparked the Crusaders into gear with one of his typical jinking runs, one which ended with him putting captain Codie Taylor over for one of the two tries he scored on the night.

He also put the cross-field kick in for Macca Springer to put Dom Gardiner in for the go-ahead try in the 51st minute, and slotted all six attempts (five conversions and a penalty) at goal.

But it was Aumua who stole the show as he rumbled through the Crusaders’ line.

He had two in the space of five minutes, the second courtesy of a brilliant off-load by Tavatavanawai - the other bloke who gave the Crusaders fits, and who moments earlier split the hosts from inside his own 22.

In the other game last night the Brumbies thrashed the Reds 52-24.

In other games today, the Highlanders will face the Hurricanes at 7.05pm, and then the Rebels host the Blues at 9.35pm.

[Source: Stuff.co]

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
State trying to make out of court settlement deal with Malimali, about $2 million on the table for discussions
There are clear indications today after the application for leave for a judicial review by former FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali that the State ...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Agriculture Ministry to focus on increasing kava, turmeric and dalo exports
The Ministry of Agriculture is working to boost export earnings by increasing production of key commodities such as kava, turmeric, taro, ginger, ...
47 minutes ago

This is a lollipop budget - Bala
This is not a people's budget, this is a lollipop budget—a sweetener served just in time for election year. This has been shared by Oppostion ...
1 hour ago

Bia cheekily tells Seruiratu to provide alternative budget
While supporting the 2025/2026 National Budget Assistant Minister for Information, Aliki Bia responded to Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu by ...
1 hour ago

Bridging the divide: building Pacific agency in the AI era
Artificial intelligence (AI) promises to be a powerful catalyst of social and economic development for Pacific Island countries. It has the potential ...
2 hours ago

Seruiratu says 40,000 Fijians left between 2022-2023, worsening skills shortage
Over 40,000 people leaving our shores between 2022 and 2023 has placed immense pressure on Fiji’s workforce. While opposing the 2025/2026 ...
3 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
5 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
7 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
10 days ago

TOP