Ioane Moananu secures Super Rugby return to New Zealand on two-year deal

The Highlanders have brought one of New Zealand’s most damaging hookers back to home soil, signing Ioane Moananu on a two-year deal ahead of the 2027 season.

Moananu enjoyed a breakout season with the Crusaders in 2025, starting six of 12 appearances for the club and scoring five tries as an injury to George Bell kept the All Black sidelined. However, there was no room for the then 23-year-old at Rugby Park in 2026 with the promotion of former New Zealand U20 captain Manumaua Letiu to the top squad.

Other Kiwi clubs offered wider training group contracts, meaning Moananu would only play if injuries hit the squad, but the youngster wanted minutes.

After finding a 2026 contract at the Waratahs, Moananu was honest about entering the season with a chip on his shoulder, and proceeded to add six tries in eight appearances for the Sydney-based club. He was announced as one of nine departures from Daceyville after the season wrapped, with his future in Super Rugby remaining uncertain.

Meanwhile, at the Highlanders, hooker Soane Vikena was one of seven players to leave Dunedin, opening a roster spot for Jamie Joseph. The head coach said Moananu was a great fit in his system and should suit the team culture.

“Ioane’s journey shows his resilience and hunger to grow,” Joseph said. “He’s performed well in two strong Super Rugby environments and we believe he’ll thrive here. His physicality, skill set and energy suit the Highlanders style and we’re excited to see what he can do over the next two years.”

The Auckland-born Moananu says the opportunity to move back across the Tasman and compete with a rising force in Super Rugby is one he values deeply.

“I’m really excited to be back playing in New Zealand. I’m extremely grateful to the Highlanders for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and making a strong contribution to the team. I can’t wait to meet the guys, become part of the club, and embrace everything Dunedin and the South has to offer. Playing indoors at Forsyth Barr Stadium in front of the Zoo is something special – Highlanders supporters create an amazing atmosphere and I can’t wait to experience that again.”

Moananu joins a Highlanders hooker unit that already boasts one of the country’s rising stars in the position, Jack Taylor, who recently re-signed until 2028, and Henry Bell, who is signed for next season only as it stands.

Back in January, Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge was full of praise for Moananu’s time at the club during an interview with Sport Nation.

“His contribution, on and off the field, in this environment last year was really great,” Mansbridge told the radio station. “I know if the coaches could’ve kept him, they would have. But when you’ve got the roster such as we have, we just ran out of room for the guy.

“You’d have him back in a heartbeat in terms of character and personality, so it was sad to see him go. I am surprised he wasn’t able to be picked up somewhere else (in New Zealand).

“We really loved the guy, and personally, I really enjoyed Ioane’s company. He’s a wonderful young man and worked his butt off. Sad to see him go, but I’m also really pleased for him. I reckon he’ll do well there (at the Waratahs) and I reckon they’ll do well with his enthusiasm, and he’ll be a little bit more confident than when he first turned up here as a very shy kid.”