Moana Pasifika

It will be Moana Pasifika's first game in the competition after they had the first two games, against the Blues and the Chiefs, postponed because of Covid-19 within the ranks.

Moana Pasifika continue to be based in Queenstown while some of the other teams have left for home.

Coach of the Crusaders Scott Robertson said he expects Moana Pasifika to play with passion in their debut game.

The team has yet to play a game in the competition, after they missed the first two rounds when several players tested positive for Covid-19.

Both players and management spent ten days in self-isolation at a Queenstown hotel.

Moana Pasifika halfback Ereatara Enari said the last two weeks have been a challenging time for the team as they recover from physical inactivity.

Moana Pasifika have had their first two games postponed after an outbreak in their squad in Queenstown.

Robertson confirmed the Crusaders will leave the Super Rugby bubble in Queenstown and return to Christchurch after Friday's game against the Highlanders in Dunedin and he concedes that could put the team at greater risk of exposure to the virus.

"Someone's going to get it and it will be no fault of their own.

The first cohort of Moana Pasifika players and staff emerged from their Queenstown hotel yesterday after nearly 10 days of isolation following positive Covid-19 cases in the group.

The Super Rugby Pacific medical advisory group recommended that the match should be postponed as there was not sufficient time for the squad, specifically those who are recovering from Covid-19, to adequately prepare for their first match on Sunday.

The announced changes do not affect the draw for any round two matches played in Australia.

Moana Pasifika's first-round match against the Blues was postponed when the squad was forced into isolation at their Queenstown hotel on February 9 after members of their group tested positive for COVID-19.

The first cohort of Moana Pasifika players and management were approved by New Zealand Public Health to leave isolation today and resume training.

Moana Pasifika are isolating in their Queenstown hotel and working closely with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and health authorities.

All members of the other five New Zealand-based Super Rugby Pacific squads have tested negative for Covid-19 and will continue preparations for the start of the season, including preseason fixtures in Queenstown this weekend.

Moana Pasifika's situation will impact opening match of the Super Rugby Pacific season, where they were scheduled to play the Blues on Friday 18 February.

Moana Pasifika's final pre-season match is likely to be cancelled this weekend after a member of its training squad, who was with the team before it headed to Queenstown, was deemed a close contact.

A Blues player has also been deemed a close contact and is now isolating at the team's Queenstown hotel.

Players from both teams have so far returned negative results after rapid antigen tests but New Zealand Rugby's Chris Lendrum said they're waiting on more definitive PCR tests.

It was just their second-ever fixture after their one-off defeat to the Maori All Blacks in December 2020.

Lotu Inisi scored Moana's only try which was converted by Christian Lealiifano.

Head coach Aaron Mauger was putting on a brave face following the loss, but emphasised that many inexperienced players in the squad have now had a taste of what Super Rugby is all about.

The game will be played in three 30-minute blocks, allowing the coaches to test the full depth of their squad.

This is an historic occasion for Moana Pasifika being the first time the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific squad will play on their home ground, Mt Smart Stadium (kick off 7.05pm).

Under the current government restrictions, no spectators are allowed at the match. However, Sky Television have partnered with Moana Pasifika and will have live coverage in New Zealand from 6.30pm. The match will also be free to air on Prime.

Due to New Zealand's shift to the Covid-19 red light setting, the Queenstown match on February 14 had been called off.

The franchise, though, hoped the match could still be played in a different location.

"This is a difficult pill to swallow for the Highlanders," Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said.

"We would also like to acknowledge all the local contractors and suppliers who have worked with us for the last two years and the local community, especially kids, who ultimately lose out at the end of the day."