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Moana Pasifika close to finalising squad with four further signings

Photo: Andrew Skinner / www.photosport.nz

Moana Pasifika are close to finalising their inaugural Super Rugby Pacific squad after announcing four new signings over the past three days.

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The new expansion franchise confirmed the arrival of New Zealand U20 halfback Manu Paea on Friday in an announcement that comes just days after the acquisitions of Tasman duo Samiuela Moli and William Havili, as well as Bay of Plenty loose forward Penitoa Finau.

That leaves Moana Pasifika with just two spots remaining in its 38-man squad, with the final two players of its first-ever Super Rugby playing squad, and its coaching and management staff, expected to be announced in the coming days.

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    At just 20 years of age, Paea will be among the youngest players at the franchise next year and joins Moana Pasifika with no first-class rugby experience to his name.

    This is in spite of the fact that Paea, who can play anywhere in the backline, joined Northland as injury cover during this year’s NPC, campaign, but failed to take to the field at all for the Taniwha.

    However, the former New Zealand Schools star was part of Tabai Matson’s New Zealand U20 squad that played a Wellington XV, a Harlequins XV, a Tasman Mako XV and the Cook Islands between June and July.

    Paea will compete with former Crusaders halfback Ereatara Enari and Manu Samoa star Jonathan Taumateine for the squad’s No 9 role.

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    Elsewhere, Moli joins a strong cohort of Tongan internationals in the Moana Pasifika set-up after having made his debut for the ‘Ikale Tahi against the All Blacks in July.

    The 22-year-old hooker, who is the younger brother of All Blacks and Chiefs prop Atu, started in his side’s 102-0 annihilation at the hands of New Zealand in Auckland.

    He went on to start in two further World Cup qualifying tests against Manu Samoa and the Cook Islands later that month, and becomes the sixth capped Tongan player to sign for Moana Pasifika after Solomone Kata, Solomone Funaki, Sione Tu’ipulotu, Fine Inisi and Don Lolo.

    Bringing title-winning experiences with him to the franchise after helping guide the Mako to the 2019 and 2020 NPC crowns, Moli will compete for starting roles with ex-Blues duo Ray Niuia and Luteru Tolai at Moana Pasifika.

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    Part of a small yet prominent Mako contingent in head coach Aaron Mauger’s squad, Moli will be joined by provincial teammate Havili at Mt Smart Stadium next year.

    The 23-year-old outside back, who is the younger brother of All Blacks and Crusaders utility back David, is one of five Tasman players – alongside Moli, prop Isi Tu’ungafasi, midfielder Levi Aumua and wing Timoci Tavatavanawai – at the franchise.

    After making his provincial debut for the Mako in a one-off appearance in 2018, Havili, who is of Tongan descent, was included in this year’s Tasman squad as a development player.

    Since then, he has featured three times this season, twice from fullback and once off the bench, and is likely to compete with former Samoan sevens star Tomasi Alosio and ex-Hurricanes and Blues flyer Lolagi Visinia for the No 15 jersey.

    In the loose forwards, Finau provides Moana Pasifika with depth in their well-stocked back row, which already features four Manu Samoa internationals and two ‘Ikale Tahi players.

    Capable of playing all three loose forward positions, the 27-year-old has garnered plenty of experience both in New Zealand, with Bay of Plenty and Counties Manukau, as well as in Portugal.

    It was in Europe where Finau spent a number of years following significant injuries during his time with the Steelers, before returning to New Zealand to sign with the Steamers this season.

    The Hurricanes, meanwhile, announced the signing of former Highlanders midfielder Teihorangi Walden on Thursday as the Wellington-based franchise looks to fill the voids left by Ngani Laumape and Danny Toala, who has joined Moana Pasifika.

    Confirmed Moana Pasifika signings for 2022 Super Rugby Pacific

    Props: Joe Apikotoa (Chiefs), Sekope Kepu (Counties Manukau), Tau Koloamatangi (Otago), Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Counties Manukau), Isi Tu’ungafasi (Crusaders)

    Hookers: Samiuela Moli (Tasman), Ray Niuia (Blues), Luteru Tolai (Blues)

    Locks: Don Lolo (Taieri), Mike McKee (Southland), Alex McRobbie (Counties Manukau), Veikoso Poloniati (Manawatu)

    Loose Forwards: Penitoa Finau (Bay of Plenty), Solomone Funaki (Hawke’s Bay), Lotu Inisi (North Harbour), Jack Lam (Waikato), Alamanda Motuga (Counties Manukau), Sam Slade (Counties Manukau), Henry Time-Stowers (Canterbury), Sione Tu’ipulotu (Auckland)

    Halfbacks: Ereatara Enari (Crusaders), Manu Paea (Northland), Jonathan Taumateine (Hurricanes)

    First-Fives: Christian Leali’ifano (NTT Communications Shining Arcs), Lincoln McClutchie (Hawke’s Bay)

    Midfielders: Levi Aumua (Tasman), Fine Inisi (North Harbour), Henry Taefu (Western Force), Danny Toala (Hurricanes)

    Outside Backs: Tomasi Alosio (Wellington), Neria Foma’i (Hawke’s Bay), William Havili (Tasman), Solomone Kata (Brumbies), Timoci Tavatavanawai (Tasman), Azelo Tuitavuki (Hawke’s Bay), Lolagi Visinia (Hurricanes)

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    I
    IkeaBoy 4 hours ago
    Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

    “Why are you so insistent on being wrong? Man United won in 2008 (beating Chelsea in the final). In 2009 Barcelona won, beating United.”

    Good lad, just checking. So you’re not a bot! Chelsea bombed the 2008 final more than United won it. John Terry… couldn’t happen to a nicer fella.


    “The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.”

    Again - you’re not correct. City won the CL in 2023, and made the final in 2021. Those are the only two CL finals they have made.”

    So the difference between 2021 and 2023 would of course be TWO YEARS. 24 months would account for 3 different seasons. They contested ECL finals twice in two years. The first in 2021 - which they lost - was still the first elite European final in the clubs then 141 year history. Explain clearly how that’s not an achievement? Guess what age he was then…


    “I think your take on Gatland is pretty silly. Gatland was without Edwards in the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and managed to do alright.”

    I thought you don’t care what certain managers did 10 years ago…

    Why would I address Eddie Jones? Why would he be deserving of a single sentence?


    “I am aware Les Kiss has achieved great things in his career, but I don’t care what he did over ten years ago. Rugby was a different sport back then.”

    So you haven’t watched even a minute of Super Rugby this year?


    “lol u really need to chill out”

    Simply frightful! If you’re not a bot you’re at least Gen-Z?

    171 Go to comments
    f
    fl 5 hours ago
    Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

    “Pep didn’t win the ECL in 2009. It was 2008 with Barca”

    Why are you so insistent on being wrong? Man United won in 2008 (beating Chelsea in the final). In 2009 Barcelona won, beating United.


    “The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.”

    Again - you’re not correct. City won the CL in 2023, and made the final in 2021. Those are the only two CL finals they have made. With Barcelona, Pep made the semi final four consecutive times - with City he’s managed only 3 in 8 years. This year they didn’t even make the round of 16.


    To re-cap, you wrote that Pep “has gotten better with age. By every measure.” There are some measures that support what you’re saying, but the vast majority of the measures that you have highlighted actually show the opposite.


    I am aware Les Kiss has achieved great things in his career, but I don’t care what he did over ten years ago. Rugby was a different sport back then.


    I think your take on Gatland is pretty silly. Gatland was without Edwards in the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and managed to do alright. You’ve also not addressed Eddie Jones.


    I agree wrt Schmidt. He would ideally be retained, but it wouldn’t work to have a remote head coach. He should definitely be hired as a consultant/analyst/selector though.


    “Look at the talent that would be discarded in Schmidt and Kiss if your age Nazism was applied.”

    lol u really need to chill out lad. Kiss and Schmidt would both be great members of the coaching set up in 2025, but it would be ridiculous to bank on either to retain the head coach role until 2031.

    171 Go to comments
    I
    IkeaBoy 6 hours ago
    Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

    Pep didn’t win the ECL in 2009. It was 2008 with Barca. The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.


    His time with City - a lower win ratio compared to Bayern Munich as you say - includes a 100 PT season. A feat that will likely never be surpassed. I appreciate you don’t follow soccer too closely but even casual fans refer to the sport in ‘pre and post Pep’ terms and all because of what he has achieved and is continuing to achieve, late career. There is a reason that even U10’s play out from the back now at every level of the game. That’s also a fairly recent development.


    How refreshing to return to rugby on a rugby forum.


    Ireland won a long over due slam in 2009. The last embers of a golden generation was kicked on by a handful of young new players and a new senior coach. Kiss was brought in as defence coach and was the reason they won it. They’d the best defence in the game at the time. He all but invented the choke tackle. Fittingly they backed it up in the next world cup in their 2011 pool match against… Australia. The instantly iconic image of Will Genia getting rag-dolled by Stephen Ferris.


    His career since has even included director of rugby positions. He would have an extremely good idea of where the game is at and where it is going in addition to governance experience and dealings. Not least in Oz were many of the players will have come via or across Rugby League pathways.


    Gatland isn’t a valid coach to compare too. He only ever over-achieved and was barely schools level without Shaun Edwards at club or test level. His return to Wales simply exposed his limitations and a chaotic union. It wasn’t age.


    Schmidt is open to staying involved in a remote capacity which I think deserves more attention. It would be a brain drain to lose him. He stepped in to coach the ABs in the first 2022 test against Ireland when Foster was laid out with Covid. They mullered Ireland 42-19. He was still heavily involved in the RWC 2023 quarter final. Same story.


    Look at the talent that would be discarded in Schmidt and Kiss if your age Nazism was applied.

    171 Go to comments
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