A spectacular Israel Leota try had Moana Pasifika dreaming of a Super Rugby Pacific upset before the Highlanders ground to a scrappy win in Christchurch.
Leota, the hulking 21-year-old who left the Brisbane Broncos last year for a rugby shot, produced arguably the moment of Super Round in his side's 27-17 loss on Sunday.
ISRAEL LEOTA THAT IS UNBELIEVABLE 🤯
Watch every Super Rugby Pacific match live on @skysportnz and @StanSportAU 📺#SuperRugbyPacific #SuperRound #HIGvMOA pic.twitter.com/QXAhTlbb4n
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 26, 2026
Pasifika need new owners to save the club from the Super Rugby Pacific scrap-heap next season.
If disbanded, Ipswich Grammar product and former Queensland junior rugby league representative Leota did his chances of finding a new home no harm on Sunday.
He flew high in the corner to sit on Xavier Tito-Harris's shoulders, reaching even higher for the mark before landing neatly to score a brilliant try.
"They've got to ... this is their livelihood," Pasifika coach Tana Umaga said of his players being on the lookout for a contract elsewhere next year, even if the club does survive.
"There's a lot of anxiety ... if they've got opportunities, that's what happens."
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph agreed that Super Round was naturally a showroom floor for Pasifika players with uncertain futures.
"You're always having a look, I'm sure all the coaches are," he said.
"You kind of feel sorry for them, but they're quality players and will get picked up somewhere."
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Former Melbourne Rebels back Glen Vaihu followed up Leota's effort with a try to give Pasifika, who have won just one game all season, a 10-7 lead.
A Highlanders penalty levelled the scores after the break, and they went ahead when Angus Ta'avoa scored.
Adam Lennox ran on to a kick for their third try to offer some breathing space, but Augustine Pulu tumbled over to make it a seven-point game in the final 15 minutes.
Pasifika had their chances but eventually Timoci Tavatavanawai stole a loose ball at the ruck and a bloodied Cameron Miller slotted a penalty to seal the win and stay in touch with the top six.
"Just a real arm-wrestle; we created a lot of opportunities we couldn't finish off and kept the opposition in the game," Joseph said.
"But finding a way to win is really important."
Australian Associated Press
