Julian and Ardie Savea have been named in the same Moana Pasifika match 23 for the first time.
Tenth-placed Moana host the last-placed Fijian Drua at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday in a Super Rugby Pacific match they must win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Thirty-four-year-old Julian, who joined Moana ahead of the 2024 season, returned from a knee injury against the Brumbies last week, playing the full 80 minutes, but Ardie missed that match.
On Saturday, Ardie –Moana’s big 2025 signing – will captain the team from openside flank, with Julian on the bench.
“It’s a massive game for us,” said Julian, adding that everyone at Moana is “starting to believe that we’re a better side than a lot of the teams in this competition. I truly believe that.
“Obviously we’ve just got to play our game and bring that weekly and be consistent. We have the privilege to go again this week against the Drua and that’s the beautiful thing.”
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MOANA PASIFIKA – 15 William Havili, 14 Tevita Ofa, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 12 Danny Toala, 11 Fine Inisi, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Ardie Savea (c), 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Samuel Slade, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Feleti Sae -Ta’ufo’ou, 2 Millenium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu.
Bench: 16 Tomasi Maka, 17 Monu Moli, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Allan Craig, 20 Sione Havili Talitui, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Julian Savea.
Photo: @SuperRugby/X
