Super Rugby Pacific: Moana Pasifika players run skills and drills with Rotorua Boys’ High First XV

Moana Pasifika players held a skills and drills session with the Rotorua Boys’ High School’s First XV rugby team on Thursday at the school. Photo / Supplied

The Rotorua Boys’ High School First XV rugby team have had a knowledge boost from “one of the greats” ahead of a youth tournament in Japan.

Moana Pasifika players Julian Savea, Penieli Poasa, Lolani Faleiva and pathways manager Francis Stowers hosted a skills and drills session with the school’s First XV rugby team on Thursday afternoon.

Spectators were welcome to watch, with the Moana Pasifika players also hosting a drills and skills session for young children afterwards.

The community engagement event came before Moana Pasifika play the Gallagher Chiefs at Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday.

The Super Rugby Pacific round-nine match was moved from Nuku’alofa, Tonga, due to funding and sponsorship challenges.

Speaking after today’s session, Savea told the Rotorua Daily Post he did some attack and defence work, handling and a line break drill.

“The boys are eager to learn,” he said.

“This is a proud rugby school, and I’ve heard they’ve always done well. It’s awesome to come down here and give them some knowledge and I guess motivation to sort of pursue their careers or whatever they do.”

Moana Pasifika player Julian Savea. Photo / Supplied

Ahead of Saturday’s game, Savea said the Chiefs had “world-class” players and coaches.

“It’s always going to be a tough game against these guys ...

“We’ve come off a bye week so hopefully the boys are refreshed and ready to go.”

Savea said the team were “excited to bring the game” to Rotorua, “although the majority of Rotorua is probably Chiefs country”.

Rotorua Boys’ High School First XV rugby team captain Te Ariki Rogers said the session went well.

“I think it exposes us to a different environment with Moana Pasifika coming in, especially with one of the greats Julian Savea. Obviously bringing his knowledge across to the boys as we head over to Japan ... I think it benefits us before we head over to Sanix.”

Rotorua Boys’ High School’s First XV rugby team at work during a skills and drills session with the three visiting Moana Pasifika players. Photo / Megan Wilson

Rogers said the team earned a spot last year for this year’s Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament. Eight international teams and eight Japanese teams were competing, with Feilding High School being the only other team from New Zealand.

Rotorua Boys’ High School won the youth tournament in 2003 and 2004, becoming the first team to win it twice. In 2016, the team finished in third place.

Rogers said the team would depart on April 25 for two weeks. They would spend a few days in Tokyo before the tournament takes place in the Fukuoka Prefecture.

Rogers said he was looking forward to the experience and “bonding with the boys”.

“It’s quite a new group this year so going over for a two-week period, I think it will benefit us ... coming together as one but also playing the sport we love as well.

“On behalf of Rotorua Boys’ High, we just want to express our gratitude for Moana Pasifika coming down here and showing their love to our community, our little town and just to our First XV and the younger generation out here.”

Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and the Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.