Western Force beat Moana 35-19 in Pukekohe

Moana Pasifika 19-35 Western Force, Pukekohe

The Western Force claimed their first win of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with a convincing 35-19 victory over Moana Pasifika in Pukekohe.

After back-to-back defeats at home, the Force delivered a composed performance away from Perth to register five tries and end a lengthy winless stretch in New Zealand.

Fast start lays foundation

The Force struck inside five minutes when Darby Lancaster finished a well-weighted cross-field kick from Ben Donaldson, who also kicked the conversion. The visitors maintained early control and extended their advantage through forward pressure, building phases patiently in Moana territory.

Although Moana responded through hooker Mills Sanerivi, the Force entered halftime with a commanding 21-7 lead. George Bridge was central to the momentum shift, recovering from an earlier missed chance to contribute strongly in the build-up to Darcy Swain’s try before adding one of his own soon after.

Force maintain control

The second half saw the Force manage territory effectively. Carlo Tizzano, the competition’s leading try-scorer last season, powered over from a rolling maul to stretch the lead further. Replacement hooker Leonel Oviedo then added a fifth try, capitalising on sustained pressure.

Moana mounted a late response through Melani Matavao and Jackson Garden-Bachop, narrowing the margin but never threatening the result. The Force defence held firm in the closing stages to secure a deserved win.

Team line up:

Moana Pasifika: 15 Glen Vaihu, 14 Tevita Ofa, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 5 Allan Craig, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Chris Apoua, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu

Reserves: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Lolani Faleiva, 19 Ola Tauelangi, 20 Tupou Afungia, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Tevita Latu

Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Darby Lancaster, 13 George Bridge, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Bayley Kuenzle, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Nathan Hastie, 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Jeremy Williams (captain), 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Nic Dolly, 1 Tom Robertson

Reserves: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Misinale Epenisa, 19 Lopeti Faifua, 20 Kane Koteka, 21 Agustin Moyano, 22 Max Burey, 23 Kurtley Beale