Western Sydney centre Siti Moceidreke will line up in a talented NSW Pacifica side in a trial match against the NSW Waratahs at Eric Tweedale Stadium on Saturday evening. 

But that’s not the most important thing on the Fijian-Australian backs’ mind. 

“We had a disappointing end to last season at the Two Blues and missed the finals so it’s been a long wait to get back on the field again,” Moceidreke admitted. 

“I’m really looking forward to it but my wife is actually due to give birth to our first child next week, so I’ve also got my eye on my phone the whole time. 

“If she rings, I’ll be out of there pretty quickly but we’ll just have to wait and see.”

A talented crop of new and returning Shute Shield players with Pacific Island heritage have spent the last few weeks preparing to face the Waratahs in the Super Rugby sides’ first hit out of 2025. 

Moceidreke knows his team will be underprepared in comparison to their professional opponents, but he seems confident NSW Pacifica will challenge the Tahs on Saturday and at the very least create some sore bodies on Sunday morning. 

“I’m playing in the centres with Fabian Goodall from Easts and we grew up playing with and against each other. It’ll be good to play alongside him again,” he said. 

“There are a few Easts boys in the squad and when you see them on the training field, it’s not hard to see why they won the competition last year. 

“In the forwards, Maka Mafileo from Manly has been one of the best props in the competition for a few years now. 

“He creates a really good vibe wherever he goes and we’re keen to play off the back of that.”

In his younger years, Moceidreke spent time in professional rugby league systems in Australia and England and played nine Tests for Fiji. 

“A lot of the guys in the group have been in and around the next level and you can see that at training. It’s exciting to be back in the fold and playing against the Waratahs,” he said. 

“For me, it’s my first representative game of rugby so I can’t wait for the opportunity.”

NSW Pacifica sides will face the Waratahs in U20s and women’s fixtures on either side on the main game on Saturday in a massive day of rugby in western Sydney. 

Waratahs’ recruits and Wallabies Joseph Suaalii and Taniela Tupou have been rested for the first trial but will be at Eric Tweedale stadium on Saturday to spend time with young rugby fans. 

“Grassroots rugby needs support in general but it needs lots of love in western Sydney so it’s great that lots of young kids will get to meet some of those big names,” Moceidreke said. 

Following Saturday’s game, and the birth of his first child, the talented centres’ attention will turn to the 2025 Shute Shield campaign and Moceidreke seems convinced the Two Blues can break into the finals this season. 

“Losi (coach Sailosi Tagicakibau) has recruited really well, both players and coaches, and the standards this preseason seem to be a lot higher than previous years,” he said. 

“We’ve got a new S&C coach who has added a new edge and she’s making sure no one is cutting corners. 

“She doesn’t take any nonsense and I think we’ve been missing that a little in recent years so I’m looking forward to seeing that transition onto the playing field.”

NSW Pasifica face the Waratahs at 4pm at Eric Tweedale Stadium on Saturday with the U20s and women’s fixtures to be played at 1pm and 6pm respectively. 

Entry to Saturday’s event is free.