Western Force vs Moana Pasifika Prediction: Savea set to inspire Moana Pasifika to repeat win

Moana Pasifika beat Western Force 22-14 last year and could repeat that result on their return to Perth on Saturday. The Force have overhauled their squad and could take a while to gel, while Tana Umaga's visitors now seem settled in Super Rugby and have recruited Ardie Savea for their fourth season in the competition.

They finished 11th in 2024, a place behind the Western Australians, with both winning four of their 14 matches. A play-off place has to be the aim and Moana Pasifika can get their top eight ambitions off to a winning start at HBF Park.

Read on for my Western Force vs Moana Pasifika prediction.

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

The Force have undergone a makeover during the off-season, with Nic Dolly, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Sio Tomkinson, Divad Palu and Mac Grealy set to make their debuts as starters.

Wallaby winger Dylan Pietsch and former All Black prop Atu Moli could also make their first appearances for the Perth outfit from the bench.

Savea skippers the visitors from number eight, while tighthead prop Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou will make his Super Rugby debut.

Western Force vs Moana Pasifika Odds

The Force are 4/9 to get revenge for last year's defeat, with Moana Pasifika 2/1 and the draw 18/1.

The last two meetings have been separated by eight or fewer points and the hosts are 4/1 to triumph by 6-10 points, with their visitors 8/1.

Moana Pasifika to win @ 21/10

Western Force are the favourites for victory but Moana Pasifika could cause an upset and repeat last season's win in Western Australia.

Force boss Simon Cron will have been working hard to ensure all of his new players settle in but, at least they will have some continuity at half-back, with Nic White and Ben Donaldson combining again.

Both need big seasons to try and establish themselves as more prominent members of the Wallaby picture but may struggle to get their new-look back-line moving.

Jackson Garden-Bachop is another debutant for Moana Pasifika but if he struggles early on, he can call on franchise stalwart William Havili to step up from full-back and take over.

Those two could form an excellent playmaking partnership and with their pack potentially ready to dominate, an opening victory could beckon for the visitors.

Ardie Savea anytime tryscorer @ 15/8

It is an obvious suggestion but if things do turn out to be cagey, having the best forward on the planet could prove fruitful for Moana Pasifika.

Ardie Savea is back in Super Rugby after a spell in Japan and could eventually feature alongside his elder brother Julian, who misses out on Saturday.

The 31-year-old will captain the team and goes up against Ekuasi, who has moved west in a bid to rediscover the form he previously showed for Melbourne Rebels.

Both can bulldoze through opponents but Savea has superior footwork, giving him a better chance of going over.

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