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Moana Pasifika close to finalising squad with four further signings
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.
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.
Highlanders star and All Blacks prospect Pari Pari Parkinson has been dealt a major injury blow that will keep him sidelined for an entire year. #Highlanders #SuperRugbyPacific https://t.co/6ZBSS7VADv
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 12, 2021
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)
Comments on RugbyPass
Super rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
8 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
8 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
14 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
14 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
8 Go to comments