With their final pre-season hit-outs now complete, both sides can begin preparations for the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific. Moana Pasifika will travel to Perth to take on the Western Force in their season opener, while the Chiefs prepare for a highly anticipated showdown against the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday night after going unbeaten through pre-season. For now, that is all we have time for in this one. Thanks for tuning into Tribe.

Moana Pasifika will take plenty of positives from their second-half fightback, where they built more sustained pressure and found success through their ball movement. Lotu Inisi was a standout with his powerful carries, while Jackson Garden-Bachop guided the team effectively from first-five. The introduction of Tuna Tuitama and Patrick Pellegrini off the bench added much-needed attacking spark, and their set-piece held up well against a strong Chiefs forward pack. Their scramble defence faltered at times, and Tana Umaga will be eager to address that heading into the Super Rugby Pacific opener.

The Chiefs showed their class throughout, particularly in their ability to strike from anywhere on the field. Xavier Roe directed play well from halfback, linking effectively with first-five Josh Jacomb, while Luke Jacobson’s work rate at number eight was immense. Oscar Koller was resolute at the back, and the impact of Quinn Tupaea and Emoni Narawa in the second half helped keep the Chiefs in control. The intensity only lifted when the reserves came on, which speaks to the depth Clayton McMillan has at his disposal.

Moana Pasifika came out firing in the second half, but the Chiefs extended their lead in the 48th minute through a dominant rolling maul, with Taine Kolose emerging from the pile to claim the try. Moana responded quickly, working the ball through the hands to create an overlap for Tuna Tuitama to score in the 52nd minute. The Chiefs hit back with a moment of brilliance from Emoni Narawa, who stood up the defence before chipping ahead and regathering to score a stunning solo try in the 58th minute. With the game slipping away, Moana Pasifika kept the pressure on, eventually earning a penalty inside the Chiefs' 22. Ardie Savea took a quick tap, and Semisi Tupou Tailoa burrowed over in the 73rd minute, but by then, the game was all but over.

The Chiefs secure a 12-point victory over Moana Pasifika in an entertaining Super Rugby pre-season clash at Navigation Homes Stadium. The first half saw the Chiefs take control early, capitalising on their opportunities with two well-executed tries. In the 14th minute, Simon Parker won a lineout at the back, setting up a slick backline move that saw Oscar Koller fend off the final defender to score down the right. They struck again in the 23rd minute, this time through Xavier Roe, who finished off a sweeping attack initiated by Leroy Carter’s break and offload. Moana Pasifika showed glimpses of their attacking potential but struggled to break down the Chiefs' well-oiled defence, heading into half-time trailing by 14 points.

Ratima feeds to the scrum, attacking left through Mataele, who breaks straight through the defence! Mataele chips in behind and Ratima gets to it first, but he cannot reel it in! Tuitama knocks on next, attempting to clean up, and the referee says that will do us, blowing full-time.

Moana Pasifika spin the turnover ball left, with Toala slamming a long kick in behind. McKenzie rushes back to tidy up, and his pass is knocked on by a stray Moana Pasifika hand for a Chiefs scrum feed 14m inside their own half.

McKenzie finds touch 10m out in the left corner. Kolose throws to the lineout, finding Selby-Rickit and the drive is set. It goes down instantly and the Chiefs start pick and going 5m out. Short ball for Finau to crash hard, before Tuitama steals it at the ruck...

Clean lineout win for the Chiefs as Tupaea crashes it up in midfield. Inside ball for Selby-Rickit to carry forward, followed by Finau, stopped 30m out in centre field. Next to carry is Kolose, with the ball then fired wide left for Mataele to carry. Continuing to string phases together are the Chiefs, with Craig then penalised for playing the halfback at the ruck.