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Moana Pasifika confirm final signing to complete inaugural Super Rugby squad
Moana Pasifika’s inaugural Super Rugby Pacific squad has been completed with confirmation of Manawatu wing Tima Fainga’anuku’s signing for the 2022 season.
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A former member of the Crusaders and Highlanders, Fainga’anuku has two seasons of Super Rugby experience to his name and has also spent time abroad playing for Perpignan in France’s Top 14 between 2018 and 2019.
Within New Zealand, the 24-year-old brother of Crusaders star Leicester has established himself as a powerful speedster who won two NPC titles with Tasman during his five-year spell at the province before linking up with the Turbos this season.
Fainga’anuku was also a world champion with the New Zealand U20 side in 2017 and represented the All Blacks Sevens in 2018.
However, it’s with Tonga where his international ambitions appear to lie as it was announced he would play sevens for his nations of birth at the Final Olympic Qualification Tournament in Monaco earlier this year.
Covid-19 travel restrictions prevented Fainga’anuku from making the switch, though, meaning he remains tied to New Zealand, but his intent on pledging his allegiance to Tonga is promising for the Pacific Island nation.
That much is reflected by his commitment to Moana Pasifika, with their roster now full ahead of the expansion franchise’s debut campaign in the revamped edition of Super Rugby.
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Fainga’anuku will compete for places in Moana Pasifika’s outside back trio with the likes of Tasman speedster Timoci Tavatavanawai, ex-Brumbies and NRL star Solomone Kata and former Blues and Hurricanes flyer Lolagi Visinia.
Visinia will be accompanied in the Moana Pasifika set-up by midfielder Danny Toala and halfback Jonathan Taumateine, all of whom were members of this year’s Hurricanes squad.
Others in the Moana Pasifika squad who played in this year’s Super Rugby include ex-Crusaders pair Ere Enari and Isi Tuungafasi, former Blues duo Ray Niuia and Luteru Tolai, ex-Chiefs prop Ezekiel Lindenmuth and former Western Force midfielder Henry Taefu.
None, however, boast the starpower of ex-Wallabies stars Christian Lealiifano and Sekope Kepu.
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Lealiifano, a 26-test first-five who last played for Australia at the 2019 World Cup, was announced as the franchise’s first-ever signings last month, and joins from the NTT Communications Shining Arcs in Japan.
France beat the All Blacks for the first time since 2009 this morning [NZT], winning 40-25 in Paris #FRAvNZL https://t.co/URuxXqcEI3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 21, 2021
Next year’s season-opener between Moana Pasifika and the Brumbies at Mt Smart Stadium will pit Lealiifano against his former side, who he made 150 appearances for between 2007 and 2019.
The 34-year-old has competition for the No 10 jersey, though, as Hawke’s Bay star Lincoln McClutchie headlines the seven Magpies players in the Moana Pasifika squad due to his status as one of the most promising prospects in New Zealand.
Kepu, meanwhile, is a 110-test veteran of three World Cups who links up with Moana Pasifika from Counties Manukau.
Like Lealiifano, Kepu is no stranger to Super Rugby, after having made 141 appearances for the Waratahs, with whom he won the 2014 title.
Other notable inclusions in the Moana Pasifika squad include former Blues and Chiefs powerhouse Levi Aumua, Manu Samoa stalwart Jack Lam and ex-Western Force loose forward Henry Stowers.
All in all, the squad features nine Manu Samoa players, five ‘Ikale Tahi representatives, two former Wallabies and a Hong Kong international in the form of prop Tau Koloamatangi.
The squad, which will be led by head coach Aaron Mauger and his assistant Filo Tiatia, also has players of Fijian, Cook Island, Niuean and Maori heritage.
Moana Pasifika will kick-off its 2022 campaign against the Brumbies at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on February 18.
2022 Moana Pasifika squad
Hookers: Ray Niuia, Sam Moli, Luteru Tolai
Props: Sekope Kepu, Isileli Tuungafasi, Joe Apikatoa, Tau Koloamatangi, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Chris Apoua
Locks: Don Lolo, Mike McKee, Veikoso Poliniati, Alex McRobbie
Loose Forwards: Henry Stowers, Jack Lam, Sione Tuipulotu, Solomone Funaki, Penitoa Finau, Lotu Inisi, Sam Slade, Alamanda Motuga
Halfbacks: Ereatara Enari, Jonathan Taumateine, Manu Paea
First-fives: Christian Lealifano, Lincoln McClutchie, William Havili
Midfield: Levi Aumua, Danny Toala, Henry Taefu, Fine Inisi
Outside Backs: Lolagi Visinia, Neria Fomai, Tomasi Alosio, Solomone Kata, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tima Fainga’anuku, Anzelo
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments