Moana Pasifika flip the script with seven debutants for Hurricanes

Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga is eager to get his new recruits in on the Super Rugby Pacific action in 2026 and is throwing seven of them in the deep end against the Hurricanes this week.

Alefosio Aho, Konrad Toleafoa, Faletoi Peni, Israel Leota, Simon Peter Toleafoa, Mamoru Harada, and Lolani Faleiva are the new faces set to announce themselves on the Super Rugby stage.

Leota arrived at Moana Pasifika HQ by way of the NRL’s Brisbane Broncos, and Harada by way of the back-to-back Japan League One champion Toshiba Brave Lupus. As their name suggests, the Toleafoas are cousins.

The changes also see hat-trick hero and captain Miracle Faiilagi shift to the bench, with Samuela Moli starting as captain at hooker.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase the depth within our group,” Umaga said. “If we want to get all the way to the end of this competition, we’re going to need everybody.

“We decided that we were going to come back and change the team because of the travel and the heat [in Lautoka]. Those factors take a lot out of our players.

“Last year we went to Perth (first game at the start of the season) and we had a short turnaround, then went to Brisbane. We had issues with our flight, and we didn’t end up getting into Brisbane until 1 am Monday morning. We didn’t train well, and we probably didn’t show the best of ourselves, and I think that was due to our travel and fatigue.

“I’m a big believer that if you keep doing the same thing and expect something different, that’s the definition of insanity. So this year we had a plan in place, and we were going to give our group an opportunity,” Umaga said.

Moana’s historic 40-26 win in Fiji kicked the season off on a high note, but returning to the scene of the 64-12 battering that eliminated them from playoff contention last year requires a refreshed mindset. Umaga believes he has found that with the new talent.

“It’s a big step up from where some of our players have come from and you can’t replicate [experience] on the training field or in the meeting room,” Umaga added. “They’ve got to go out there and taste it, that’s what our boys need.

“We have faith in our squad and we have total faith in our players to represent themselves, their families and our club to the best of their abilities.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

1

Average Points scored

50

22

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

100%

Moana Pasifika team to play the Hurricanes

1. Abraham Pole
2. Samiuela Moli (captain)
3. Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou
4. Veikoso Poloniati
5. Alefosio Aho *
6. Semisi Paea
7. Konrad Toleafoa *
8. Dominic Ropeti
9. Siaosi Nginingini
10. Patrick Pellegrini
11. Tuna Tuitama
12. Faletoi Peni *
13. Glen Vaihu
14. Israel Leota *
15. Simon Peter Toleafoa *

16. Mamoru Harada *
17. Tito Tuipulotu
18. Lolani Faleiva *
19. Allan Craig
20. Miracle Faiilagi
21. Melani Matavao
22. William Havili
23. Tevita Ofa

Injury list

Augustine Pulu (calf)
Jimmy Tupou (elbow)
Niko Jones (foot)
Ola Tauelangi (back)
Tupou Afungia (neck)
Paula Latu (knee)
Tevita Latu (knee)