Miracle Faiilagi scores hat-trick as Moana Pasifika stun Hurricanes for famous win
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This article originally appeared on Stuff and is reproduced with permission
Moana Pasifika celebrated their greatest win in glorious style by holding off the Hurricanes 40-31 on a remarkable night at North Harbour Stadium.
Tonga five-eighth Patrick Pellegrini played the match of his life in his first start and flourishing loose forward Miracle Faiilagi crossed for a hat-trick of tries in their frenetic, thrilling 40-31 victory on Saturday.
Not only did it snap Moana's 20-match losing streak against Kiwi sides, but it was also exactly what they needed for some credibility after three troubled opening years with few high points. There were 11 tries, nerves jangling, but it was a joyous night for Pasifika rugby.
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Miracle Faiilagi of Moana Pasifika scores a try. Getty
Tana Umaga's team also collected their first win of the season in Super Rugby Pacific and left Clark Laidlaw's Hurricanes battered and bruised, although they threatened an improbable comeback in the tense final stages.
Moana had accelerated without their star loose forward Ardie Savea, who only lasted 40 minutes against the team he represented with distinction for almost a decade.
There might have been concern as Savea didn't return for the second half. It wasn't immediately clear why.
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Ardie Savea, captain of Moana Pasifika, looks for a gap. Getty
No matter. Pellegrini orchestrated two stunning tries to floor the Hurricanes after the break, first kicking long for Kyren Taumoefolau to touch down, then making the run to give Faiilagi his second score in a wonderful team move.
Pellegrini was the mastermind with a kicking game that troubled the Hurricanes and gave Moana all the advantages they needed.
Taumoefolau was a danger on the right wing all night. His vault over a Hurricanes defender, legal or not, was incredible in the build-up to the latter. The crowd loved it.
Albany's derided venue might be a happy short-term home for Moana, with a few thousand gathered creating a more vibrant atmosphere than an empty Mt Smart.
The second half was chaotic. There were respective yellow cards for Tom Savage and Isaia Walker-Leawere. The former's didn't deter the home side, who looked in control as hooker Millennium Sanerivi rumbled over for their fifth try before Faiilagi sealed his hat-trick.
Tana Umaga's side flew into tackles and dominated collisions, but they were sweating in the closing stages as the Hurricanes hit back via Peter Lakai, Ngatungane Punivai and Jona Rova's late efforts.
All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard made a huge impact off the bench. They were cutting through with ease, but their fightback was too little, too late.
There was an especially loud cheer for Savea when the home crowd first heard his name called out. He is undoubtedly Moana's main man, but his teammates stood tall.
There was another volley of noise for prop Tevita Mafileo's huge early tackle to drive the Hurricanes back.
Lalomilo Lalomilo of Moana Pasifika is tackled. Getty
It was the visitors, however, who applied the first spells of pressure. Godfrey and Love were working in tandem to make space out wide and kick long.
Love smartly finished in the corner after a loose pass ricocheted off his knee, following Brayden Iose's opening try through some soft Moana tackling.
But the hosts appear to have a harder edge in 2025. Rising loose forwards Miracle Faiilagi and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa both crashed over, their pack battering down the Hurricanes' weary defensive wall.
A yellow card for Brayden Iose of the Hurricanes. Getty
Moana's confidence was rising. Pellegrini booted a 50/22. Centre Lalomilo Lalomilo's breathtaking offload would have led to a spectacular try had Taumoefolau opted to pass.
The Hurricanes finished the first half a man light and needed the break, as Iose yellow's card had them stretched. They were fortunate the hosts let them off the hook.
That reprieve didn't last long.
The big picture
Moana Pasifika's best night was their first win across the city in 2022, a 24-19 success against the Hurricanes.
This was arguably more memorable because of how they overwhelmed the side that finished at the top of last season's regular standings. It was also Moana's eighth win in their fourth campaign and only their second against Kiwi opposition.
Moana improved their record to 1-3 after starting with three high-scoring losses. The Hurricanes slumped to their third defeat after losing another close contest.
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What's next
Moana Pasifika have a bye next week before hosting the Chiefs in Pukekohe on March 21, in the fixture originally scheduled for Tonga.
The Hurricanes head south to face the Highlanders in Dunedin next Friday night.
At North Harbour Stadium, Albany: Moana Pasifika 40 (Miracle Faiilagi 19', 44', 65', Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa 28', Kyren Taumoefolau 41', Millennium Sanerivi 58 tries; Patrick Pellegrini 5 con) Hurricanes 31 (Brayden Iose 15', Ruben Love 22', Peter Lakai 61', Ngatungane Punivai 71', Jone Rova 74' tries; Harry Godfrey 3 con). HT: 14-12. Yellow cards: Iose, Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hurricanes), Tom Savage (Moana).
