A senior rugby administrator has slammed the Skipper Select XV’s humiliating 12–78 loss to the Fijian Drua in Lautoka, calling the performance embarrassing and exposing serious flaws in preparation, fitness, coaching and selection.

“You go and ask my lawyer, I have given him all my papers – he’ll be able to answer it. I’ll give you his number.” 

Patrick Pellegrini says leadership depth gives Moana confidence despite Ardie Savea’s absence.

“Our away trips are actually four-hour flights and then getting somewhere. There’s plenty of things we’ve looked at as a team and as coaches to go how do we do it better?” 

Former All Black Ngani Laumape is set to face the Fijian Drua on his Super Rugby return with Moana Pasifika. Laumape is expected to start against Drua midfielder Virimi Vakatawa at Churchill Park.

The next leg of the HSBC SVNS series will be held in Vancouver, Canada, on March 7–8.