Published 5 days ago • Christchurch, New Zealand • Updated 3 days ago

Moana Pasifika shock Crusaders in Christchurch

On March 29, 2025, Moana Pasifika achieved their first-ever victory against the 12-time Super Rugby champions Canterbury Crusaders, winning 45-29 at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.
Moana Pasifika, a 2022 expansion team, had previously lost to the Crusaders by an average of 25 points, making this win a major upset that prevented the Crusaders from potentially topping the Super Rugby Pacific standings.
Ardie Savea, Moana Pasifika's captain, inspired the team with two tries in the first 16 minutes, setting the tone for the match, while other tries were scored by Pepesana Patafilo, Danny Toala and Miracle Faiilagi, and Patrick Pellegrini contributed six conversions.
Following the match, Crusaders head coach Rob Penney acknowledged Moana Pasifika's superior physicality, stating, "We were beaten physically, they just wanted it more than us, they went through us."
With this win, Moana Pasifika leaps into ninth position, surpassing the defending champions Blues, while the Crusaders, now in third place and trailing the Queensland Reds by four points, aim to recover in their upcoming match against the Fijian Drua in Suva, a traditionally challenging venue for them.

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RNZ

Center

Five takeaways from Moana Pasifika's win over the Crusaders

Analysis - Self-belief is a factor that helped the side write the past weekend's biggest story of Super Rugby Pacific, writes Iliesa Tora.

3 days ago·New Zealand

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Stuff

Lean Left

It’s not an April Fool’s, an Aussie side is really topping Super Rugby

ANALYSIS: The rare phenomenon comes after Moana Pasifika shocked the Crusaders on another night of jeapordy that Super Rugby Pacific badly needs.

4 days ago·New Zealand

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NZ Herald

Center

Moana Pasifika shock Crusaders in Christchurch

All the action as the Crusaders fell to their first loss against Moana Pasifika in Christchurch. Crusaders: 1. George Bower 2. Ioane Moananu 3. Fletcher...

5 days ago·Auckland, New Zealand

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theaccnz.com

"It's What Grizz Would Have Wanted"

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE!Manaia Stewart joins Finn Caddie to ask once again if it is, in fact, our year after the Wahs beat the Tigers in Tigertown last night (0:00)! Then the fellas get into the crime that ACC Head G Lane committed while commentating the Black Caps win over Pakistan during the moment of silence for Grizz Wyllie (8:30), before two fellas from the mainland have to discuss Moana Pasifika's epic win over t…

3 days ago

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Planet Rugby

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3 days ago·Dunedin, New Zealand

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islandsbusiness.com

Moana Pasifika beat the Crusaders for the first time

Moana Pasifika have made history with an incredible 45 – 29 win over the Crusaders at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. They were a machine, aggressive at the breakdown and feisty on attack recording six converted tries. It all started with Patrick Pellegrini hoisting a 50:22 kick which was the start of momentum swinging Moana’s way. […] The post Moana Pasifika beat the Crusaders for the first time appeared first on Islands Busine…

3 days ago

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