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Latest News
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Spain Sevens Seville 2022 - Women's
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe keen to drive Ireland onto Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

We spoke to the prolific Ireland star about backing up the team’s success in Seville and plotting their path to Cape Town in September.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 26 April, 2022
4 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
5 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Everything you need to know about Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Your guide to RWC Sevens 2022, which will take place in Cape Town between 9-11 September this year.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 8 April, 2022
5 min read
Dubai Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens 2021 - Men's
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Perfection, not silverware, the focus for South Africa and Selvyn Davids

We caught up with the Blitzboks star, who has helped guide his side to the top of the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings as the countdown continues to their home Rugby World Cup Sevens.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 5 April, 2022
3 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
Super Rugby Pacific
Wednesday 30 March, 2022
3 min read

Moana Pasifika making their mark in Super Rugby Pacific

The signs are good for the Super Rugby debutants after they followed up their maiden tournament victory with an impressive performance against the Blues.
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If anyone doubted the ability of Moana Pasifika to mix it with the best in Super Rugby Pacific this season, then they received a forthright rebuke over the past week.

The Super Rugby debutants secured their first ever win in the competition last Friday when Danny Toala scored a stunning try in golden point extra-time to secure a 24-19 defeat of the Hurricanes.

Moana Pasifika were back at Mt Smart Stadium on Tuesday to contest the first of back-to-back local derbies against the Blues, fielding a team showing 15 changes from the one that started their match against the Hurricanes due to Henry Taefu’s late withdrawal.

It is testament to the work being done on the training pitch by Aaron Mauger and his coaching staff, and the support from World Rugby, the Samoan and Tongan unions, the New Zealand government and others, that Moana Pasifika will feel they could have won.

A moment that will never be forgotten. @MoanaPasifika_ have arrived.#HeritageRound pic.twitter.com/Zehr2kfbkM

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) March 25, 2022

As it was, the Blues – down to 14 men following Nepo Laulala’s 57th-minute red card – repelled wave after wave of pressure before sewing up a 32-19 win with Finlay Christie’s late try.

“We talked about small wins last week that led to an ultimate outcome and there were so many more to celebrate tonight,” Mauger said.

“We were close. It's a good feeling to be competing with the best teams in this competition.”

Building belief

Defeat leaves Moana Pasifika 11th in the Super Rugby Pacific standings ahead of Saturday’s return match at Eden Park. But the newcomers have games in hand on the teams around them and can take heart from the improvement they have made so far.

That was certainly the message that Mauger was drilling into his players in the turnaround between the historic Hurricanes win and the derby in Auckland. As rugby writer Marc Hinton stated on Tuesday: “Make no mistake, Moana Pasifika are very much the real deal.”

“It was a very proud moment,” Mauger said following the victory against the Hurricanes. “The belief has been a big one.

“We’re really trying to drive into these guys they belong here, that this team belongs here. Then it’s been a matter of how fast are we going to get there?

“It’s still early days. We have been looking at the small wins along the way. We had a lot more small wins in the second half at the weekend, which meant we were more even around territory and possession.

“What it showed was when we control the ball, we can control the game. The spirit, heart, and energy towards the end were really good. It’s what got us through.

“We’re proud of getting the result. But we know we’re in a brutal competition against quality New Zealand teams, and the reset was making sure we keep it humble, and don’t get too far ahead of ourselves.”

“Awesome feeling”

A key priority of the £3.6 million funding package from World Rugby that Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua will share over an initial three-year period is to enhance the player development pathway and bridge the gap between local and international rugby in the Pacific Islands.

It is hoped that those pathways will in turn lead to an improvement in the competitiveness of Samoa and Tonga – and Fiji through the Drua – at Rugby World Cups.

Of the 42 players that pulled on the Moana Pasifika jersey across the matches against the Hurricanes and the Blues, 15 were aged 24 or younger.

Manu Paea was one of those, the young scrum-half making his first Super Rugby appearance in the win against the Hurricanes. He admits to being “starstruck” when he came on in the closing stages of normal time.

“I couldn’t believe it myself that I was making my debut – and what a game to make my debut in. It was just a surreal feeling, it was an awesome feeling,” the 20-year-old told the Pacific Flair podcast.

“[The win] has just lifted all aspects in our game to another level, especially at training and everything. It’s good that the boys finally believe that we can believe that we can do it.”

Having two teams in Super Rugby will enhance the player development pathway in the Pacific Islands and builds on the progress already achieved through the World Rugby Pacific Challenge and Pacific Combine.

Since its inception in 2018, 75 players have graduated from the Pacific Combine and 17 have gone on to represent the Pacific Islands on the world stage, including seven at Rugby World Cup 2019.

It would not be a surprise to see some of the uncapped members of the Moana Pasifika squad follow in their footsteps on the road to RWC 2023.

Trending News Show all
2018 Commonwealth Games women's final
3 min read

Commonwealth Games

All the build-up to rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games 2022

Now that the line-ups are complete in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, we take a look at who has won gold in the past and the sides competing to add their names to the roll call of honour in July.

Commonwealth Games

Wed 11 May, 2022
3 min read
Madagascar qualify for rugby world cup sevens
4 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Discipline and hard work at the heart of Madagascar's success on the road to Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

The Madagascar women's sevens team has achieved their historic dream of qualifying for a Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament for the first time. At the heart of this achievement lies a lot of hard work, determination and discipline.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Wed 11 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Seven women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series players to watch in Toulouse

Following an exciting weekend in Langford we look at seven women’s stars who could light up Toulouse between 20-22 May.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 5 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
7 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia clinch overall 2022 series title while late Lily Dick try gives them Cup win in Langford

Hosts Canada took fifth place while Ireland flyer Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe bagged 12 tries as they won bronze in the HSBC Canada Sevens in Langford.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Mon 2 May, 2022
7 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
5 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia edge towards HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series glory in Langford as New Zealand provide thrills on return

Australia are closing in on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title after a perfect start to the penultimate event of the season in Canada, while the Black Ferns came back with a bang at the Starlight Stadium.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Sun 1 May, 2022
5 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Captains on top of the world ahead of the HSBC Canada Women's Sevens in Langford

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to the home of Rugby Canada after a 1,083 day break as Australia look to clinch their first Series title since to 2018.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Fri 29 April, 2022
3 min read
Santiago Gómez Cora
5 min read

rugby sevens

Santiago Gómez Cora: “You have to be patient, trust a lot and do the hard work”

World Rugby caught up with Los Pumas Sevens coach about Argentina’s recent win in the HSBC Canada Sevens and what it means to him going forward.

rugby sevens

Thu 28 April, 2022
5 min read
Charlotte Caslick
3 min read

HSBC Sevens Series

Series title within Australia’s reach as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to Langford

We spoke to Australia co-captain Charlotte Caslick about her team's mindset heading into this weekend's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop in Langford knowing they can wrap up the series title.

HSBC Sevens Series

Wed 27 April, 2022
3 min read
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