Julian Savea, a former All Black winger, scored a Super Rugby record 61st try as his Moana Pasifika team fell 23-29 to the Melbourne Rebels.
Savea crossed early in the second half in Hamilton to become the competition’s leading try-scorer, level on 60 tries with former Australian back Israel Folau.
The 33-year-old brother of Ardie Savea, the world player of the year in 2023, barrelled over for a converted try as Moana battled their way back into the game after trailing 19-17. It wasn’t enough, as the Melbourne squad finally won the Super Rugby Pacific by five tries to two. The Rebels suffered an early setback as their skipper Rob Leota was forced to leave with a knee injury after three minutes.
His squad maintained their momentum, opening up a 19-3 lead with scores from winger Andrew Kellaway, scrum-half Ryan Louwrens, and flanker Vaiolini Ekuasi. Lock Moana’s Allan Craig scored a try out wide after the hosts fell behind 19-10 at halftime.