The Moana Pasifika Super Rugby team had a jersey launch for their first members’ event of the season and during the celebrations team members had a go at an Ura dance. The results are crack up.
Dances like ‘the dog leash’, ‘the hops’, ‘the motorbike guy’, the ‘get off the ground toko’, and more were all whipped out by the team.
With teammates, whānau, friends, and fans mingling at the event, the Ura dance looked like a highlight of the day. The team posted the dance to their Instagram with some great captions to add to the already hilarious dances.
Taking place at Lilyworld Cafe at Mount Smart stadium - which will be Moana Pasifika’s home stadium for the 2023 Super Rugby season - the members' event looked like an awesome time for everyone.
One of the fans at the event, Karl, who grew up in Sāmoa, told The Spinoff the event helped to see just how nice and personable the members of the team he supports are. His wife Lynette also mentioned the significance of having a team representing the Pacific Islands.
“With these guys, they’re approachable,” he said. “If I see these guys on the street I wouldn't hesitate to say ‘hi’.”
“I’m a child whose parents emigrated here in the ‘50s, so to see the rugby get to this stage where we’ve got our own team, is a really nice thing to see, it’s progression,” said Lynette.
Timoci Tavatavanawai, a winger for Moana Pasifika, said that the event and just being part of the squad has meant a lot of his teammates have learnt more about their culture and heritage.
“Some of the boys, they’re really proud islanders, but they don’t know much of their culture,” Tavatavanawai also told The Spinoff. “When they come into the environment they learn more of it.”
“It’s a bonus for them. They get to play professional footy and the other thing they gain is their mother tongue, getting back to their homeland.”
Moana Pasifika’s play their first game of the season against Fijian Drua at Mount Smart stadium on the 25th of February.
