The Crusaders ruined Moana Pasifika’s Round 6 homecoming with a convincing 50-21 win at North Harbour Stadium.
Moana started strongly, showing real fight in the first half even after losing Julian Savea just four minutes into the match. They stayed in the contest and went into the break trailing narrowly at 17-14, giving their home crowd plenty to cheer about.
But the second half told a very different story.
The Crusaders came out sharper, more direct, and far more clinical. They ran in five tries after the break, taking full control of the game and securing a bonus-point win — their first back-to-back victories of the 2026 season.
Fletcher Newell marked his 50th appearance with a powerful showing in the front row, while Sevu Reece continued his incredible scoring run, extending his record at the top of the Super Rugby try-scoring list.
The visitors made an early statement. Braydon Ennor crossed in the corner inside the opening four minutes, and Reece followed soon after to give the Crusaders a quick 12-0 lead.
Moana responded well. Tevita Latu sparked a strong attacking move that led to Tevita Ofa scoring, before halfback Joel Lam finished off another break to give the hosts a surprise 14-12 lead midway through the first half.
However, that would be the last time Moana troubled the scoreboard for a long stretch.
A well-weighted cross kick from Cooper Grant found Chay Fihaki just before halftime to put the Crusaders back in front. From there, the momentum stayed firmly with the visitors.
Leicester Fainga’anuku powered over early in the second half, and that opened the floodgates. George Bell grabbed a double, while debutant Kurtis Macdonald also crossed as the Crusaders piled on the points and stretched the lead to 45-12.
Moana showed some resistance late on, tightening up defensively, but the damage had already been done. Fihaki added another try after a long spell of pressure deep in Moana territory.
The home fans had one final moment to celebrate when Siaosi Nginingini intercepted for a late consolation try, but it did little to change the outcome.
In the end, the Crusaders’ second-half dominance proved too much, as they walked away with a comfortable 29-point win.
Crusaders 50 (Tries: Bell 2, Fihaki 2, Reece, Macdonald, Fainga’anuku; Cons: Fihaki 4, Grant) def Moana Pasifika 21 (Tries: Lam, Ofa, Nginingini; Cons: Pellegrini 3)
Teams
Moana: 15 William Havili, 14 Tevita Latu, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 12 Julian Savea, 11 Glen Vaihu, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Joel Lam, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Niko Jones, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 5 Allan Craig, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu
Replacements: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Veikoso Poloniati, 20 Dominic Ropeti, 21 Siaosi Nginingini, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Tevita Ofa
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan (captain), 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Dallas McLeod, 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Cooper Grant, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Johnny Lee, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Tahlor Cahill, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 George Bell, 1 Finlay Brewis
Replacements: 16 Manumaua Letiu, 17 George Bower, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Antonio Shalfoon, 20 Xavier Saifoloi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 23 Kurtis MacDonald
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams, Mike Winter
TMO: Aaron Paterson
English