Highlanders v Moana Pasifika recap: Jamie Joseph’s men walk home for comfortable win

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (r) of the Highlanders celebrates his try with Angus Ta'avao of the Highlanders the Super Rugby Pacific match - Crusaders Vs Highlanders at the Apollo Projects Stadium, New Zealand, 14th March 2026. Copyright photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz

• The Highlanders overcame Moana Pasifika 39-19 at North Harbour Stadium
• Victory takes Jamie Joseph’s men to seventh on the Super Rugby Pacific table
• Moana Pasifika sit last, with one win from their first seven games

All you need to know

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is hoping to see some spark from his side as they prepare to face Moana Pasifika in Auckland.

Coming off a 50-7 drubbing at the hands of the Hurricanes, Joseph has resisted the temptation to overhaul his squad, making minimal changes, although co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai has dropped to the bench, Folau Fakatava misses out altogether and Nic Shearer has been named for his Super Rugby debut.

“It was such an indifferent performance from the previous games we’ve played,” Joseph said.

“The most important thing now is just getting things right as well as we can. There’s been injuries, there’s been some form, but it’s our ninth game in a row, so there’s also lacking a bit of spark, so we’ve got to get that back.

“Moana is a tough physical side, very big men, very different to the fast game that the Hurricanes play. So each game that we play each week has different kinds of challenges.”

Joseph admits two-test All Black Fakatava hasn’t been performing to the high standards he knows he’s capable of.

“Sometimes that is just because there’s a lot of pressure that he feels he’s been put under from the opposition that he’s playing against,” Joseph said. “But a break away from the game, I think, will do wonders for Folau.”

For Moana, they welcome back veteran duo Jackson Garden-Bachop and Solomon Alaimalo to the starting side while prop Paula Latu is in line to make his debut off the bench.

Julian Savea is back in the casualty ward after a shoulder injury sustained against the Crusaders in the opening minutes of their clash.

Moana Pasifika claimed their first win over the Highlanders in six attempts when the two sides last met.

Moana Pasifika:1.Abraham Pole, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 4. Veikoso Poloniati, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7. Niko Jones, 8. Dominic Ropeti, 9. Joel Lam, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Glen Vaihu, 12. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 13. Tevita Latu, 14. Solomon Alaimalo, 15. William Havili.

Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 18. Paula Latu, 19. Alefosio Aho, 20. Ola Tauelangi, 21. Siaosi Nginingini, 22. Patrick Pellegrini, 23. Tevita Ofa.

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Oliver Haig, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Hugh Renton (cc), 9. Nic Shearer, 10. Reesjan Pasitoa, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Tanielu Tele’a, 13. Jonah Lowe, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Bench: 16. Henry Bell, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Rohan Wingham, 19. Will Stodart, 20. Sean Withy, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Andrew Knewstubb, 23. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc).