Moana Pasifika’s humble captain Sione Havili-Talitui gears up for a challenging match against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua side at Churchill Park today.
“It’s good to be back in Lautoka and this Saturday (today) we look forward to it. It will be a different level game; I know it’s hard to beat Drua here, but we look forward to playing them,” Talitui said.
Talitui joins Moana Pasifika after spending four years with the defending champions, the Crusaders, in Christchurch.
Known not only for his standout performances as a flanker in Super Rugby Pacific but also for his exceptional displays for the Ikale Tahi at the Rugby World Cup 2023, Talitui ranked first in total tackles during the group stage, a testament to his work ethic.
He believes their biggest challenge today is to focus is on executing their own game plan, considering a victory as a bonus for his side.
“We just focus on our own game, and it will be a bonus for us if we win this game.”
Acknowledging the Drua’s determination to bounce back after their loss to the Hurricanes last week, Talitui recognises the importance of matching their intensity.
“When you come out of a game you don’t win, you got to make sure to win the next one so for us, we got to make sure that we match that and hopefully it will be a good game against the Drua,” he said.
Talitui’s leadership skills on the field were pivotal in Moana Pasifika’s thrilling 39-36 victory over Fiji in their previous encounter, as noted by head coach Tana Umaga.
“He’s (Talitui) a leader that leads with his actions. He’s got so much knowledge, and he gives players confidence on the field,” Umaga said.
“For him it’s just understanding that he’s the player first and as we always talk about in terms of captains, you must be the player first rather than the captain first,” Umaga stated.
The match kicks off at 2.05pm.
