A HEATED contest fuelled by Pacific rivalry will unfold when Moana Pasifika returns to Churchill Park in Lautoka this week for their round one match against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The fixture opens the new season for both teams, after months of ongoing off-season and pre-season preparations.
And for Moana Pasifika first-five Patrick Pellegrini, he says their opponent’s new signings are “threats all over the park.”
However, in acknowledging the added depth and firepower present in their opponents, he pointed out his side will ensure they play their cards right.
“A big thing for us is to kind of focus on ourselves and not worry too much about what the (Fijian) Drua are doing,” Pellegrini emphasised.
“And if we can get our game right, just do our job and let the rugby take care of itself.”
He shared these sentiments to Times Sport during the launch of the Super Rugby Pacific competition in Auckland, New Zealand recently.
Pellegrini was born and raised in Sydney, Australia and has Tongan ancestry through his mother while his father is an Australian European with Italian ancestry.
He debuted for Moana Pasifika last season in their match against the Highlanders.
Meanwhile, also present at the competition launch was Swire Shipping Fijian Drua player Manasa Mataele who acknowledged the strength and force present in their opponents.
“We’re really looking forward to it, knowing what they bring. Quite similar to the built and a bit of physicality,” Mataele told Times Sport.
“But for us, like I said earlier, it’s focusing on what we’re really good at and obviously fine tuning a few things, especially from the defensive side of things.”
The two teams clash this Saturday at 3.30pm.
