Moana Pasifika

This weekend is the first 'Super Round' of the competition where the Australian-based sides which include the Fijian Drua, and the New Zealand-based sides including Moana Pasifika, face off for the first time.

All six matches were scheduled to take place at Melbourne's Rectangular Stadium this weekend, but a rash of Covid-19 cases in the Force squad has led to the postponement of Friday's second fixture.

The former Wallaby and Brumbie's captain takes charge of Moana Pasifika's leadership role following the injury of Sekope Kepu in Friday's 37-17 loss to the Highlanders.

"I'm really excited for Christian, he's a very natural leader," said Moana Pasifika Assistant Coach Filo Tiatia.

"We have total confidence around how he leads, particularly off the field and what he brings on field.

"He's a captain at the highest level, he was a captain of the Brumbies and also had a bit of a leadership role in the Wallabies."

The former Crusaders No 9 was again strong for Moana Pasifika during their 37-17 loss to the Highlanders on Friday, sparking the attack with his crisp passing and tackling.

However, the team conceded 16 penalties and Enari said the speed of Super Rugby Pacific had been a jolt to the young side's system.

"It's experience at this level, at Super Rugby pace. The more games we get, the more exposure we get to this level and I think we'll be able to take away those penalties," he said.

"Once we get into a normal playing week ... we've had a couple of storm weeks.

While Moana Pasifika have one success in their debut season, the Highlanders remain winless after seven rounds.

After being on the receiving end of a 46-16 defeat at the hands of the Blues, head coach Aaron Mauger reflected on the week that was.

"Although we know we're heading in the right direction as a team we were disappointed that we didn't offer our best performance against the Blues at Eden Park," Mauger said.

Blues Hooker Kurt Ekland helped himself to three tries in front of a home crowd of 15'000, while Corey Evans, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem and AJ Lam also scored for the hosts.

Moana Pasifika scored one try through Tomasi Alosio, while Christian Leali'ifano kicked three penalties.

The first half was a back and forward affair, with Moana Pasifika leading 6-0 early before the Blues sprung into action and scored twice in four minutes, eventually taking a 29-16 lead into the break.

Up 19-5 at halftime, the Blues eventually fought off a spirited fightback from the home side to secure a 32-19 victory at Mt Smart Stadium on Tuesday night.

Moana Pasifika's third try midway through the second spell closed the gap to just five points with 20 minutes remaining.

But the Blues held their nerve, coming up with their fifth try of the match and a late penalty to seal the result.

The two teams were each playing the second match of a three-match run in eight or nine days, meaning both made wholesale changes from their previous game.

Eleven players set to make their Moana Pasifika debut on Tuesday, with head coach Aaron Mauger using the full depth of his squad with only a four-day turnaround from Friday's historic win against the Hurricanes.

After playing for the Crusaders in Moana Pasifika's first match, prop Abraham Pole will make his debut for Moana Pasifika as a permanent replacement for the season.

Despite not being able to call upon 17 squad members through Covid-19 cases and injuries, the Chiefs ran away with the match in the second half to record their third win in four games.

The visitors lead 19-7 at half time thanks to tries from Bryn Gatland, Hamilton Burr and Emoni Narawa.

Jonah Lowe touched down for the Chiefs shortly after the break to extend the lead, before a flurry of tries from Tupou Vaa'i, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber, Alex Nankivell and Tyrone Thompson blew out the scoreline.

Sione Tu'ipulotu will make his debut on the blindside flank, with fellow 'Ikale Tahi international Solomone Funaki switching to the openside in place of Manu Samoa loose forward Alamanda Motuga, who is sidelined with a wrist injury.

There's also a new pairing in the halves with Samoa's Jonathan Taumateine and former Wallabies pivot Christian Leali'ifano taking the reins from Ereatara Enari and Lincoln McClutchie.

Moana Pasifika held their own in their debut match against the Crusaders in round three, scoring the opening try in the 33-12 defeat.

Moana Pasifika were supposed to kick off the tournament last month against the Blues but the match was postponed after several players in the squad went down with Covid-19.

The match will now be played on 29 March at Mount Smart Stadium while the game against the Chiefs will be played in Hamilton on 12 April.

"It was always our intention to reschedule the matches and it's a great result for the integrity of the competition," said the NZR's Chris Lendrum.