With new captain, All Blacks superstar Ardie Savea, at the helm, Moana looked headed for an upset victory at HBF Park.
Looking to honour his Samoan heritage, Savea joined the Moana after 12 seasons with the Hurricanes and the No.8 was a constant threat in attack and defence.
Exciting young winger Kyren Taumoefolau collected a double among Moana’s haul of six tries and his side led 44-31 after 75 minutes.
More than 50 points were scored in the first half alone in hot conditions, with the home side trailing by three points at the break.
They scrambled back from a 3-17 deficit with Force flanker Carlo Tizzano crossing twice to reduce the
margin to three points, 27-24.
Pietsch came off the bench early in the second half and made an immediate impact, running on to a long
cut-out pass from fellow Wallaby, scrumhalf Nic White.
He dashed 40 metres and was brought down just short of the line, with prop Marley Pearce finishing off the try for the Force to go ahead 31-29 after 49 minutes.
Force fans were then silenced for much of the second half as Pasifika stormed to the lead, adding three second half tries including one while Force prop Tom Robertson was yellow carded with their scrum struggling.
But the home crowd were on their feet to cheer Donaldson home for the unlikely win.
Western Force 45
Tries: Tizzano 2, Grealy, Pearce, Pietsch, Donaldson
Cons: Donaldson 6/6
Pens: Donaldson 1/1
Moana Pasifika 44
Tries: Taumoefolau 2, Garden-Bachop, Patafilo, Tailoa, Taumateine
Cons: Havili 4/6
Pens: Havili 1/1
Drop Goal: Garden-Bachop 1/1.
