Super Rugby Pacific: Miracle Faiilagi scores hat-trick as Moana Pasifika make flying start against Fijian Drua

Saturday, 14 February 2026

At Churchill Park, Lautoka: Moana Pasifika 40 (Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa 5', Miracle Faiilagi 10’, 17’, 41’, Tevita Ofa 32’, Ofa Tauatevalu 77’ tries; Patrick Pellegrini 5 cons), Fijian Drua 26 (Tuidraki Samusamuvodre 23’, Kitione Salawa 40’, Ilaisa Droases 45’, Temo Mayanavanua 64’ tries; Kemu Valetini 3 cons). HT: 28-12.

It was not so much a miracle, as the Miracle in Lautoka on a hot and humid Saturday afternoon opening round of Super Rugby Pacific.

Behind a hat-trick of tries from their inspirational loose forward and skipper Miracle Faiilagi, Tana Umaga’s Moana Pasifika secured a notable 40-26 victory over the Fijian Drua at Churchill Park to make the perfect beginning to the new season. They led 28-12 at the break and sealed the deal with a late try to big Ofa Tauatevalu off the bench.

On the top of Moana’s best season since their introduction to the competition last year, when they rolled the Blues, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders in a respectable 6-8 campaign for 7th, this was some statement from the Auckland-based outfit to open ‘26.

Not only did the upset snap a nine-game winning streak by the Drua at Churchill Park, and represent Moana’s first victory in Lautoka, but it was achieved in the strength-sapping heat of the islands that has proved so tough for visiting teams in the past.

Faiilagi was the standout figure in an impressive opening effort from Moana as his strength on the carry and burgeoning leadership proved decisive. He had a team-high 54 metres on 8 carries, with 5 defenders beaten and, of course, those three big tries.

Fellow loosie Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, who also crossed for a try, put in a big shift for the visitors whose pack very much won the battle up front. William Havili got through a strong 56-minute effort at fullback, including one big 50-22 to set up a try, in his 50th outing for the club, while wing Tevita Ofa, centre Lalomilo Lalomilo and first five Patrick Pellegrini were the other backline standouts.

The Drua battled hard and were always a threat with ball in hand, but made too many errors to allow them to develop any fluency and rhythm.

Moana made a rollicking start in the hot, humid conditions of Lautoka, crossing for three tries, and a 21-0 lead, through the opening quarter. That all three scores came from their powerful loose forwards Faiilagi (two) and Tupou Ta'eiloa would surprise no one who watched this team’s notable improvement last season.

Tupou Ta'eiloa had the first off some effective forward play on the carry, Faiilagi the second wide on the left at the end of a nine-phase buildup and the skipper had his brace, for the 21-0 lead on the 17-minute mark, with an easy finish off the back of a lineout.

The Drua got back into the contest with scores to Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Kitione Salawa to close out the half, while Ofa scored the visitors’ fourth try of the half just past the half-hour mark.

Both teams scored two tries apiece in the second 40 and the Drua looked in with a shot when Temo Mayanavanua’s 64th-minute score got them within seven (26-33), with plenty of time up their sleeve.

But the errors kept coming from the home side and it was Moana who hold their cool best over the run home to nail the victory with Tauatevalu’s game-clincher, achieved off spilt ball from the Drua.