Brisbane, February 22, 2025 – Moana Pasifika had the Queensland Reds under pressure but failed to capitalise, falling 56-36 in a high-paced Super Rugby Pacific clash at Suncorp Stadium. Despite dominating possession at key moments and having the numerical advantage for much of the first half, Moana Pasifika couldn't convert their dominance into points, ultimately paying the price.
Opportunities Missed in Crucial First Half
The match started disastrously for Moana Pasifika, with the Reds racing out to a 21-0 lead inside 15 minutes. Defensive lapses and early handling errors gifted the home side an explosive start.
However, from that point, Moana Pasifika gained control, spending long periods camped in the Reds’ 22. They forced repeated penalties, with the Reds receiving three yellow cards before halftime, at one point playing with only 12 men on the field.
Despite the massive advantage, Moana Pasifika could only manage an unconverted try and a penalty, heading into the break trailing 21-8. Given their dominance in that period, it was a frustratingly low return.
Second-Half Surge Falls Short
Moana Pasifika looked to strike first after the break to build on their momentum. Instead, it was the Reds who landed the first blow, breaking away for a crucial try through Matt Faessler, stretching their lead further.
That seemed to finally wake up Moana Pasifika, who responded with two quick tries, closing the gap to just six points at 27-21. At that moment, it looked like the visitors had the Reds rattled and a comeback was on.
But just as quickly as they found hope, it was taken away—the Reds struck back with two tries of their own almost immediately, restoring their lead and shifting momentum firmly back in their favour.
From there, the match turned into a try-fest, with both sides playing open, attacking rugby. The final tally stood at 12 tries between the two teams, but Moana Pasifika were always chasing the game after their slow start and wasted opportunities.
Set Piece Struggles and Open-Play Brilliance
Moana Pasifika’s scrum, which was dominant last weekend, was steadier this time, with neither side gaining much of an edge. However, the lineout was an issue, with poor timing, messy taps, and stolen throws disrupting their attacking momentum.
Where they looked most threatening was in broken play. Their counterattacks were electric, twice nearly going coast to coast for tries in the second half. But while they excelled in transition, their structured attack lacked sharpness, failing to capitalise on repeated attacking possessions in the Reds’ 22.
Key Areas for Improvement
Turning pressure into points – So much time inside the Reds' 22, but little to show for it.
More clinical in the red zone – The best teams punish ill-discipline. Moana Pasifika didn’t.
Fixing the lineout issues – Lost throws and poor execution killed momentum at key times.
Defensive structure in transition – The Reds scored too easily from deep, with their forwards linking well in open play.
What’s Next?
Moana Pasifika return home for the first time in 2025, hosting the Highlanders in Round 3, followed by a clash against the Hurricanes.
There were glimpses of attacking brilliance, but they will know they let a golden opportunity slip away in Brisbane. To be a real contender, they need to make their dominance count when it matters most.
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