Moana Pasifika delivered a statement performance on Saturday night, claiming their first win of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season with an exhilarating 40-31 victory over the Hurricanes at North Harbour Stadium.
While the entire team put in a spirited effort, one name stood out—Patrick Pellegrini. The young fly-half orchestrated Moana’s attack with pinpoint accuracy, smart kicking, and fearless playmaking, proving himself as the game-changer the team has been searching for.
First Half: A Tight Battle Unfolds
Moana Pasifika held strong in scrums, line outs, and defence, despite the Hurricanes controlling possession inside Moana’s 22 for an extended period.
Braydon Iose (#8, Hurricanes) opened the scoring, crashing over from a scrum near the Moana try line. With Harry Godfrey converting, the Hurricanes took an early 7-0 lead.
Moana responded in the 18th minute, with Miracle Fai’ilagi muscling over from a ruck and maul. Pellegrini slotted the conversion—7-7.
The Hurricanes quickly hit back in the 22nd minute, scoring in the corner to regain the lead 12-7.
Just before halftime, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa powered through, and Pellegrini’s conversion put Moana ahead 14-12 at the break.
It was a closely fought first half, but Moana Pasifika’s intent was clear—they came ready to fight for their first win of the season.
Second Half: Pellegrini Leads Moana’s Surge
Moana came out of the gates firing in the second half, and Pellegrini led the charge with a moment of sheer brilliance.
Seconds after kickoff, Pellegrini spotted space behind the Hurricanes' defensive line, executing a perfectly weighted short kick that led to Kyren Taumoefolau scoring a crucial try.
Miracle Fai’ilagi then stole the show, bagging two more tries in quick succession, completing a stunning hat-trick that sent the crowd into raptures.
Moana stretched their lead to 35-12, with Pellegrini nailing a crucial conversion to maintain the gap.
At this point, Moana had complete control—their forward pack dominated the collisions, and their defence remained rock solid, forcing the Hurricanes into error after error.
Hurricanes Fight Back, But Moana Holds Firm
To their credit, the Hurricanes didn’t go down without a fight.
Peter Lakai crashed over, and with the conversion, the Hurricanes closed the gap to 35-19.
But Pellegrini responded again, setting up Miracle Fai’ilagi for his third try, taking the score to 40-19.
Hurricanes continued to push, scoring twice more in the final 10 minutes, bringing the final score to 40-31.
Despite the late rally, Moana Pasifika’s second-half dominance had already sealed the deal. Their attacking precision, defensive grit, and Pellegrini’s masterful game management proved too much for the Hurricanes to overcome.
Pellegrini: The Fly-Half Moana Needed?
It’s no secret that Moana Pasifika has been searching for a true playmaker at fly-half—and on Saturday night, they might have found their answer in Patrick Pellegrini.
His kicking game was exceptional, both in general play and off the tee.
His decision-making was flawless, always choosing the right option at the right time.
His running ability added an extra attacking spark, keeping the Hurricanes’ defense guessing.
With Fa'alogo Tana Umaga looking to build a competitive Moana Pasifika squad, Pellegrini’s performance will have cemented his place as the team’s first-choice No.10.
A Historic Win for Moana Pasifika
This wasn’t just a win—this was a statement.
Moana tightened up their errors, dominated the set-piece, and played with incredible heart, finally converting their efforts into a well-earned victory.
With a bye next week, Moana can enjoy this moment before preparing for a massive clash against the Chiefs.
For the Hurricanes, this loss raises big questions. After being a title-contender in 2024, they now find themselves struggling with a 1-3 record, hit hard by injuries and a lack of forward dominance. They now travel to Dunedin to take on the Highlanders, needing a big response.
But tonight, the North Harbour crowd is celebrating Moana Pasifika’s moment.
With Miracle Fai’ilagi’s hat-trick and Patrick Pellegrini running one of the finest games of the season, Moana has arrived.
Final Score: Moana Pasifika 40-31 Hurricanes
Remember the name—Patrick Pellegrini. A star is born.
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