The Blues gave their little brothers one last lesson as they closed out their brief but fierce history with a 45-19 win at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday night.
Moana’s historic win over the Blues 12 months earlier now feels like a distant memory.
The party has turned to a wake as the Pasifika club is set to shut down due to financial difficulties.
Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu said it was tough to see what Moana were facing.
"Look at what it’s done for opportunities around New Zealand in terms of having more players to play," he said.
"It’s sort of hard to see them go away now. I certainly feel for the players who have invested a lot of time, the management and coaches, the fans who wanted to see something great.
"Seeing our players now having to look for jobs elsewhere, it’s probably harder for me to watch. They’re good guys and I know them personally. It’s hard to see them disband now."
He described the cross-city relationship as a sibling rivalry, apt considering his little brother Tito is part of the franchise.
"I feel like I’m having a fight with my brother. It’s Moana-Blues so it’s always good banter that makes each other stronger, that competition, and we’ve seen in the last couple of years how deep that rivalry runs and how physical the game gets."
Moana coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga said his men were experiencing "a multitude of emotions".
"The boys talk about it because it’s tough when you don’t know what the future looks like and what possibly next week looks like," Umaga said.
"But they haven’t dropped their lip. They know there’s things going on and, we just leave all that baggage at the door.
"There’s anger outside, but we always seem to have a bit of a laugh when we’re together and make light of the situation together."
Moana proved they aren’t shy to innovate, pulling out a Springboks trick during the game at North Harbour Stadium in which they formed a midfield lineout from a tap.
Moana managed a monumental upset over the Blues in Albany last year, but Umaga said morale within the squad was a far cry from what it was on that night.
"We understand running a rugby club is tough. You can be angry at everyone, but it’s probably not going to help what we’re doing.
"We know people are still fighting for us. Again, there’s a glimmer of hope. It’s only a glimmer, but at least it’s something."
Moana Pasifika (four points) remain rooted to the foot of the table, 14 points behind the 10th-placed Force, with one win from 11 games, while the Blues (38) jump to second in the table, two points behind the Hurricanes and two ahead of the Chiefs.
The Force upset the Waratahs 20-17 in the late Friday game. That has left the Drua, Waratahs and Highlanders tied on 20 points, although the Waratahs have a game in hand.
The Reds (27) firmed up a top-six spot with a 30-21 win over the Brumbies (25). — RNZ/Allied Media
