Moana Pasifika Eye Reds Upset in Brisbane
All BlacksFebruary 21, 2025
Building on the positives from their opening-round loss to the Force will be the key to Moana Pasifika's hopes of beating the Reds in their DHL Super Rugby Pacific game in Brisbane on Friday.
Prop James Lay said they were disappointed with their loss because they prepared well.
"Sometimes rugby can be cruel, and they managed to get one over us at the end, which was disappointing.
"It's high-performance sport, so we flush it, move forward, look at the pictures and how we can grow as a team and get better by channelling our focus into coming to Brisbane and preparing to play well against the Reds.
"It's been a bit of a process getting to Brisbane, but we're here now and the boys have had a couple of days to prepare well and we're ready to go."
Stopping the Reds forwards at the source will be crucial. Because of the bye, they didn't play in the first round, and they haven't had to face hard work in mauls or building phases, and Moana Pasifika can use that to effect in Brisbane.
"They're a well-coached team, a good set piece team, and like to play. So, it's going to be a bit of an arm wrestle in the tight.
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"We've got to be able to nullify all their threats because they've got quite a lot across the park. But our main focus in the forwards will be trying to shut down the forward pack first and foremost, and then we go from there."
Wing Kyren Taumoefolau felt with eight debut players; they performed well.
The lesson for the backs from the final 10 minutes was their need to hold the ball.
"We were up by a couple of tries and maybe let ourselves down with errors and forcing too much.
"We need to get with our game drivers and captain, hold the ball, play in the right areas of the field and be connected on defence.
"The Reds like to play from anywhere. It doesn't matter if they're in their 22 exiting. If the space is there, they'll take it.
"We know their halfback loves to kick a lot and there's going to be a lot of aerial battles. But, if we play well together we can beat any team on the day."
