Solomone Funaki has carved a piece of Moana Pasifika history, but his team received a lesson in the stark realities of Super Rugby, bowing 33-12 to the competition's top dogs, the Crusaders.
Fielding very much a second-string XV, with only three players retaining their spots from last week's win over the Highlanders, the 12-time champions were rocked early by the newcomers' physicality and enthusiasm, but gradually ground them down with an overwhelming supply of possession.
After missing the opening two rounds through a COVID-19 outbreak, Moana Pasifika actually led first, with Funaki stretching out to score his franchise's very first Super Rugby try, but the Crusaders struck twice before halftime, with lock Mitch Dunshea and flanker Ethan Blackadder crossing for tries.
Ahead 14-5 at the break, the southerners received a boost off the bench from All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor, who rode a lineout maul across the tryline soon after entering the contest and would do so again later in proceedings.
Moana Pasifika would manage a second try, when veteran Christian Leali’ifano pounced on a loose ball in the Crusaders 22 and sent Fine Inisi across between the posts.
At that stage, They trailled only 21-12, but any thoughts of a miracle comeback in their first outing were quickly dashed, when prop Tamaiti Williams rumbled over from close range, then Taylor scored in trademark fashion in extra time for the bonus point.
Moana Pasifika showed plenty of spunk against their formidable opponents, but squandered plenty of other scoring opportunities, especially from attacking lineouts, which they must capitalise on, as their campaign unfolds.
Crusaders 33 (Taylor 2, Dunshea, Williams & Blackadder tries, Hickey 3 conversions, Mo'unga conversion) Moana Pasifika 12 (Funaki & Inisi try, McClutchie conversion)
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