Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii’s Waratahs Suffer Nightmare Second Half Against Pasifika

This article was originally published on Stuff and is reproduced with permission.

The triumphs just keep rolling in for Moana Pasifika.

Following an incredible first victory against the Crusaders, Tana Umaga’s eager and invigorating squad has now secured consecutive Super Rugby Pacific wins for the first time ever.

Displaying resilience, the home team bounced back from a 21-7 deficit at half-time to deliver a sensational second-half performance, dominating 38-7 and even securing a bonus point in the dying moments.

Leading the charge was the unlikeliest of hat-trick scorers, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou. The 22-year-old tighthead prop, in his inaugural season of Super Rugby Pacific and just his fourth match, scored a try in the first half and followed it up with two more powerful close-range efforts at the 44th and 52nd minutes.

He was then forced to leave the field in the 54th minute, likely still in disbelief over his remarkable achievement.

Despite a quick response from the Waratahs, it seemed Feleti’s spectacular performance might go unrewarded. However, a stunning four-try explosion in the final quarter sent another shockwave through the Sydney team, who had just endured a 57-12 drubbing by the Hurricanes, marking their largest defeat in four years.

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The Waratahs were the only side Moana had consistently managed to beat, but now Dan McKellar’s team, having faced a seventh consecutive loss away from home, will surely experience nightmares after inspirational captain Ardie Savea and the sublime skills of No.10 Patrick Pellegrini and No.15 William Havili tore them apart as the game unfolded.

The dynamic playmakers showcased their talent in the 61st minute, as Havili evaded a tackle from Henry O’Donnell, surged forward, slowed tactically, and expertly grubbered the ball for Pellegrini to chase and score. A few moments later, Havili himself crossed the line in the 65th minute, giving the hosts the lead for the first time in the match.

As the game progressed, the Waratahs faltered at the lineout, an area where Moana had struggled in the first half. With an overthrow being capitalised on, Savea executed a typically superhuman run that set up Jackson Garden-Bachop to grubber through for Fine Inisi to finish.

As if things weren’t grim enough for the Waratahs, a 76th-minute penalty against Taniela Tupou for foul language directed at Kiwi referee James Doleman sealed their fate, allowing Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa to crash over for the bonus-point score.

Initially, there was little for Moana Pasifika’s fans to cheer about, as the Waratahs dominated the opening half, asserting control over possession and territory. They looked dangerous while spreading the ball wide on a sunny day, amassing a staggering 342 metres carried compared to Moana’s 113, and executing 7 clean breaks to Moana’s 2.

Moana’s presence seemed minimal, struggling to get into the game and becoming their own worst enemy, primarily due to a malfunctioning lineout that saw them lose four of nine throws in the first half, resulting in just 44 percent possession.

Particularly concerning was Mills Sanerivi, whose two overthrows significantly contributed to the Waratahs’ tries, alongside a critical tap-kick mistake that led to another five-pointer for the visitors in the first half.

This misstep turned the tide, resulting in a 14-point swing midway through the half, as Moana seemed on the brink of responding to the Waratahs’ brilliant early opening, but Sanerivi failed to connect properly with a penalty kick after working their way upfield. The sharp-eyed referee Doleman awarded a scrum to the Tahs instead.

Joseph Suaalii also showcased his immense potential, making a brilliant break that allowed winger Triston Reilly to surge 60 metres for his double, extending the score to 14-0.

Moana finally got on the scoreboard after 30 minutes when Pellegrini executed a penalty perfectly to the corner, followed by Savea powering forward through the maul, allowing Sae-Ta’ufo’ou to score.

Yet again, Moana shot themselves in the foot before the half-time break, as Havili launched a massive kick that went dead. Sanerivi’s overthrow led to tight scrutiny from the TMO, but the Waratahs capitalised on a penalty awarded shortly after, solidly scrumaging and sending Andrew Kellaway over just two minutes before the siren, with Lawson Creighton’s accurate goal-kicking establishing a 14-point lead at half-time.