Moana Pasifika return home
Moana Pasifika are back at Albany’s North Harbour Stadium for what’s billed as their first true home game of the season — the squad want to recapture the fortress feel that helped them in 2025 (rnz.co.nz). Coaches say the return matters for momentum as the season hits a crossroads in Round Six (rnz.co.nz).
Moana Pasifika host reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions the Crusaders at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday, 21 March 2026 with a 7.05pm kick-off. (crusaders.co.nz) Julian Savea is named to return to the starting XV for his first match of the 2026 season. (moanapasifika.co.nz) Young halfback Joel Lam earns his first Super Rugby start after two recent bench appearances, while Augustine Pulu is sidelined by a three-week suspension for a dangerous tackle. (pmn.co.nz) Head coach Tana Umaga has publicly criticised the early-season schedule as the side tries to arrest a run of poor results. (rnz.co.nz) Moana Pasifika sit 10th in the Super Rugby Pacific table after four games — one win, three losses and a points differential of -77. (globalsportsarchive.com) The franchise drew more than 48,000 spectators across its 2025 campaign with five fixtures at North Harbour Stadium, where it won four of five home games last season. (moanapasifika.co.nz) A reported crowd of over 12,000 attended Moana Pasifika’s Albany victory over the Blues in 2025, underlining the club’s strong local support at North Harbour. (rugbypass.com) This season’s form includes a 40-26 win over the Fijian Drua but heavy recent defeats — 52-10 to the Hurricanes and 57-24 to the Chiefs — before the Round Six clash. (moanapasifika.co.nz)
