Page 33 - Blues v The Lions

PROFILE
MOALA
BY THE NUMBERS
Typically tough to to tackle Moala charges forward against the Cheetahs in in May Super Rugby action
career saw him operating in in the No 12 jersey he he he has always appealed as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a more natural centre though he he can play a a a a a a a a a penetrative role one-in to t t t t t t t team requirements In 2015 he he scored 10 tries for Auckland in in in the ITM Cup at No 12 incredibly nine of them were from from less than ve metres out from from the the the line a a a a a stark illustration of of the the the power and leg drive that make him one of of the the more dif cult players to grass He often brings out a a a a a stutter-step before entering contact or or a a a a a a gap “I’m feeling really good at centre If I I I I I have to I I I I I can playing wing or second ve-eighth It suits me me at the the moment with how I I want to play on the the edges getting space At 12 you you tend to crash a a a lot so 13 gives you you more freedom I’ve de nitely improved my distribution but but I’m still working hard on on it It’s a a a big part of the centre’s role ” Moala is no Joe Stanley or Bruce Robertson just yet but he hits harder in defence and can power through a a a a a a a gap with the the best of them It’ll make for an interesting selection debate at at All Blacks level Indeed Moala has acquitted himself well in in in his his four Tests since his his try-scoring debut on the the right wing for the the 2015 All Blacks in in Apia He matched Alesana Tuilagi for physicality that historic day and shone against Wales He will of course play anywhere for the the All Blacks but there just looks to be more balance at at the the the Blues with Moala at at No 13 and and Rieko Rieko Ioane on on the the the wing wing “Rieko you stay on on the the wing wing and and I I can play centre!” Moala jokes This Blues team under Tana Umaga seems to be growing in in maturity and the the former All Blacks Captain who played in in in both the the the mid eld and on the the the wing has been instrumental in in in the the development of Moala’s subtleties “He has been a a a a a a big help for me with my positional play and and skills His knowledge of the the game is is huge and and he’s always there to help ” Moala says “He’s good with hunting getting a a a low body position and driving in in in in in for the the ball Our mindset on defence is to get the the the ball ball back and and he’s smart with reading the the defence and and when to change lines ” In 2005 the Lions midweek side coached by Sir Ian McGeechan edged Auckland 17-13 before nearly 48 000 at at Eden Park It wasn’t the the the nest match of the the the tour –atryapiece–butitdidmeanthe midweek tourists nished unbeaten a a a a a a a feat not be be scoffed at at at A certain Jerome Kaino was used off off the bench for Auckland that chilly July Tuesday night night and and if he he he he takes the the eld tonight he’ll be the the sole Blues survivor from that clash “I’m feeling really good at centre It suits me with how I I want to play ” Moala recalls the occasion “I remember remember it it was a a a a a a a a a big series for the the All Blacks – it it always is I remember remember there were 40 000 at at Eden Park for that Auckland game ” he he he says relishing the the prospect of what will likely be be the the biggest occasion outside of a a a Test he’ll be be be involved in in in It promises to be be an intense June for Moala if he he makes the All Blacks squad so switching off from rugby and and chilling out will will be be important Family and and church will will be be at the the forefront of of his mind away from the the the game “I’m a a a a a a proud father of of three and and like to spend time with with my kids and and and hang out with with friends Sunday is is church I’m big on on religion and and faith is is very important to me ” Moala has always wanted to to play for Auckland and and the Blues Now his his his position is is is is clear: he he gets to represent his his his his city his his his his region and his his his family on on the biggest stage Test caps for the All Blacks 3 TEST TRIES FOR THE ALL BLACKS
1 PROVINCIAL FINAL WITH AUCKLAND
Of oads for the Blues in 2016
2015 NZ PROVINCIAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tries scored for the Blues in 2016
45 GAMES FOR AUCKLAND
SINCE 2011
1138 ALL BLACKS
NUMBER DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017 // 33
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