Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga was surprised to learn the Crusaders have elected to rest some of their star players for their last match of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season.
When asked about Rob Penney's team selection for this weekend's clash, Umaga said he was surprised by some of the players omitted in what is a do-or-die match for both teams.
"I’m a bit surprised, there’s a lot to play for. Obviously they’ve done the maths and things still have to go their way to get into the eight," Umaga said.
Penney has rested the competition's leading try-scorer Sevu Reece and prop Fletcher Newell for the Crusaders without either player carrying an injury.
Moana take on the Crusaders in Christchurch in what is a must-win match for the side ranked 11th in the Super Rugby standings, still in with a slim chance of making the Super Rugby playoffs.
If Moana beat the Crusaders, they still require the Fijian Drua and the Western Force to both lose their matches this weekend to sneak into the top eight.
"We talked about it at the start of the year, we knew we had to try and win five games and we’ve won four so we can only do what we can."
Umaga said he is happy with the way his team has played towards the end of the season.
"It’s a little bit sad the season is ending, because we're starting to come right."
Moana have the opportunity to win back-to-back games for the first time in their history after they defeated the Waratahs 27-12 at Mount Smart Stadium last weekend.
Despite missing training today due to illness, 110-Test Wallaby Sekope Kepu will start in what may be his final professional match.
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