Moana Pasifika players bond for upcoming clash with Māori All Blacks through traditional kava ceremony

Players in the historic Moana Pasifika squad are coming together both on and off the field ahead of their one-off match against the Māori All Blacks this Saturday.

The team has managed to bond to their Pacific ties with events such as Monday’s kava ceremony – a custom from Samoa where a ceremonial beverage is shared by a group which is helping players come together.

Tongan No.8 Nasi Manu says it was great for him as a Tongan to experience the Fijian culture and Samoan culture.

Samoan sevens star Tomasi Alosio jokingly said that probably the Fijian players would like to have more than one cup as each player had one cup each.

The Moana Pasifika Rugby club is a club that includes players who are or have links to Pacific Islands such as Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Pita Gus Sowakula, Jone Macilai and Salesi Rayasi have been named in the Moana Pasifika squad.

Moana Pasifika will meet Maori All Blacks at 6pm Saturday at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium.

[Source: TVNZ]