Seilala Mapusua: Moana Pasifika backs coach on how the team has been recovering from defeat

Moana Pasifika are taking on the Hurricanes today at 7:05pm. 

The team is has lost its last few games, so what are the team going to change? 

Moana Pasifika backs coach Seilala Mapusua talks to D'Arcy Waldegrave about what's been missing, Ardie Savea's influence, and what there is to learn from the opposition. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from News Talk SEDB.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
And we're joined now by the backs coach of Mowana,
Celele Mapa Silla.

Speaker 3 (00:17):
Good morning, good morning, great to be here.

Speaker 2 (00:21):
Plainly, haven't had the best run so far in this competition.
We know that Ardie Savia is a little irritated. I
suppose that the progress or or lack there of, but
it feels like it's only a try away. So the
question has to be since your last defeat, what have
you primarily been looking at to change the way this

(00:44):
team is going to change the direction to get the
results you want? What have you been working with?

Speaker 3 (00:50):
Celela more so just building on on on what we've
been doing so far. You focus on us, and so
we were we're sending me at times for putting up
parts of a where that we can control and then
you know they're we're not far away from from from

(01:13):
potentially getting a winber you know, just a big focus
on ourselves.

Speaker 2 (01:18):
About the energy around the team. Because he started off
with the bang big expectations hasn't materialized a yet. Has
that affected the energy around the players. They're still feeling
uplifted and positive.

Speaker 3 (01:34):
Absolutely, you know, there's there's there's a lot of disappointment
from from from from the score shooting from our record
so far. But again we've been we've tried to extract
all the good parts of how we've played the last
three weeks and trying to package it all up into

(01:55):
until complete performance. So what's there's a the air disappointment
after after the losses. You know, we we've got to
we've got to set the very quickly and and and
get back on the horse, so to speak. So there's
still a lot of positives to take from from the
game so far.

Speaker 2 (02:13):
Plainly, the big off season signing of Ida has been
massive for the club, massive for the team as well. Ken,
You let us know exactly what has influenced has been
since joining Mona Pasifica.

Speaker 3 (02:29):
Uh artis he's a consumate professional and and and seeing
him just just the way he operates has has been greatful,
great for the squad. And he's also surround by a good,
good group of leaders. Between them, there's they've really keiped

(02:53):
this group tight and and and and just the way
he prepares for games I think has has been greatful
for our young players. You know, when you've got one
of the best in the world to do it, that
be a drink and true for a lot of the
young boys around them.

Speaker 2 (03:15):
Plainly, you're focusing on yourself and what more on a
Pasifka can do. But you've got to look at the
opposition to a degree. You're a Hurricanes team ready to go.
What have you seen in them that you might be
able to maybe exploit on the part? I mean, you've
got to pay attention to the opposition, don't you. Oh?

Speaker 3 (03:36):
Absolutely, you know, we've us to take notice of of
the pandem and what they're and what they're bringing, and
we're very we're wary of of of their depth the
squad and also the guys coming off the bench where

(03:56):
you see it's a very strong bench as well as
a strong starting fifteen, So we know that they want
to they don't be applying the pressure for the for
eighty minutes against us, and we're going to make sure
that when we can contain them in the earlier parts
of the game and then also being ready for their

(04:17):
wave of that that they will be coming later on
the game. So again we're still the big focuses on
ourselves and were aware of of the five part that
they're bringing and at halfback being anything being with one
of our previously, so you know we exactly what will

(04:39):
be getting there.

Speaker 2 (04:39):
See planning has been a few adjustments for changes in personnel,
as they has to be in such a brutal competition.
Let's look at the pivot first start there for Patrick Pellegrini,
a lot of pressure on that guy to perform the magic.
How's he coping with those expectations? Do you think?

Speaker 3 (04:57):
Yeah? I think through through is as his performances and
in the way he's trained so far, it's been it's
it's it's uh, it's the world deserved stuff for for
for Patter and an opportunity for him to show show
what he can do at this level. You know, we

(05:18):
have we have complete faith and and Patrick and being
able to drive out team and then and then then
it's the game. And you know he's got a great
supporter an him with with with with Jackson there, so
they're they're they're really supportive of all of each other

(05:39):
in terms of driving out team. So we're looking forward
to to think Pat he's had experience in big time games.
I said, I speaking of being being at the previous
couple of songs, So we we're hoping that that experience
as well as at the confidence that he's bought over
the last few months with us, and then especially in

(06:00):
his performance when he came off the bench last week.
We're looking forward to seeing more and.

Speaker 2 (06:06):
I'll ask, but certainly not at least said out. I'm Upasu,
and thanks so much for joining us. Your choice of
home ground a few heads being scratched when you decided
to go to North Harbor and to play at that stadium.
Are you guys settling in wealthy and new home ground?

Speaker 1 (06:23):
Oh?

Speaker 3 (06:24):
Absolutely, you know, I think that's the great ground and
really family friendly. And you know we were. The crowd
last week was unreal and I know gave I gave
the boys in the club a massive left. So we're
hoping and looking forward to having more of the same

(06:46):
tonight and looking forward to playing in front of our people.

Speaker 2 (06:50):
Hey go well mate, enjoy yourself, which I know you
will and you do looking forward to some positive results
for yourself, said olim A s. Thanks so much for
your time.

Speaker 3 (07:00):
Go well, I stay love with I appreciate it.

Speaker 1 (07:03):
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