Picking a Moana Pasifika XV of players coming off-contract in 2021
The long-awaited inclusion of the Pacific Islands in southern hemisphere franchise rugby is nearly upon us.
Moana Pasifika, representative of Samoa and Tonga, and the Fijian Drua will be included in a new professional competition featuring all 10 of the New Zealand and Australian Super Rugby clubs in 2022, and fanfare surrounding their addition is building.
Being granted conditional licences to play in next year’s tournament means both teams can begin the process of recruiting a playing and coaching staff to become competitive forces against New Zealand’s and Australia’s top sides.
Much has been made about who will make up the playing roster at each franchise, with reports emerging that the Fijian Drua already have Olympic sevens hopefuls, Fijian internationals and foreign stars with Fijian heritage lining up to play for the Suva-based team.
Likewise, Tonga Rugby Union chief executive Peter Harding has revealed some members of Tonga’s 2019 World Cup squad contacted him about playing for Moana Pasifika just days after their inclusion in the competition was announced.
Moana Pasifika general manager Kevin Senio has also said the franchise are looking abroad to sign star players with Pasifika heritage to help balance out the acquisition of locally-based players.
The recruitment strategy of Moana Pasifika, in particular, hasn’t come without controversy, though, as Pacific Rugby Players Welfare chief executive and ex-Samoa lock Daniel Leo has expressed concerns that the team could become “NZs 6th Super Team”.
Furthermore, the debate between respected broadcaster Ken Laban and former All Blacks wing Sir John Kirwan earlier this week highlighted the contrasting perceptions of who should be signed to best benefit Moana Pasifika and the Pacific region as a whole in the short-and-long-term.
All of this begs the question of which players could the franchise actually sign ahead of their inaugural season of competitive rugby?
Most, if not all, of Moana Pasifika’s 38-man squad will be of Pasifika heritage as Senio confirmed that 80 percent of the franchise’s players will need to be capped or eligible to play for a Pacific Island nation.
That opens the door for eight players who have already been capped by other nations and, presumably, are of Pasifika descent.
Who those players may be remains to be seen, but, with squads needing to be finalised over the coming months, negotiations are likely to get underway shortly if they haven’t already.
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With all that in mind, we have taken it upon ourselves to find out which players with a Pacific Island background from across the globe are coming off-contract and, therefore, should be available for Moana Pasifika to sign.
This is, of course, not an indication of which players have or haven’t signed for the franchise, but rather a theoretical XV made up of players whose contracts are expiring and could be on the radar of Moana Pasifika’s recruitment team.
Some clubs, particularly those in the Premiership and Top League, refrain from publicly disclosing the length of certain players’ contracts, while some don’t release any details about their contracts at all.
That means there may be some players from those leagues not mentioned here who could go on to play for Moana Pasifika in 2022.
It is, however, public knowledge that the contracts of the players featured below are set to expire at the end of their respective club seasons, hence their inclusions in this potential Moana Pasifika XV.
1. Aki Seiuli
Age: 28
Nation: New Zealand
Test caps: uncapped
Club: Glasgow Warriors
Brought to Scotland by former boss Dave Rennie after spells with the Highlanders and Otago in New Zealand, Aki Seiuli’s two-year deal with Glasgow Warriors is due to expire this year.
Born in Christchurch and schooled in Timaru, the 28-year-old loosehead prop has Samoan parents and he revealed to RugbyPass prior to his arrival in Glasgow that he was a wanted man by Manu Samoa at the 2019 World Cup.
A knee injury prevented him from representing his country of heritage, but returning to the South Pacific and playing for Moana Pasifika may be a step towards realising that prospect.
Other off-contract players: Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues), Loni Uhila (La Rochelle), Xavier Numia (Hurricanes), Feao Fotuaika (Queensland Reds), Lua Li (San Diego Legion)
2. Tolu Latu
Age: 28
Nation: Australia
Test caps: 19
Club: Stade Francais
Capped 19 times by the Wallabies since his test debut against Wales five years ago, Tongan-born hooker Tolu Latu signed a two-year deal with French juggernauts Stade Francais in 2019.
That means the 28-year-old’s deal expires at the end of this Top 14 season, which will make him available for a move to Moana Pasifika, should the franchise come calling.
Given his Tongan background, the lure of representing his nation of birth could be a drawcard for Latu, whose time with the Wallabies would make him one of the eight designated spots for ineligible Samoan and Tongan players.
Other off-contract players: Leni Apisai (Blues)
3. Paul Alo-Emile
Age: 29
Nation: Samoa
Test caps: 17
Club: Stade Francais
The first player in this team to have played for a Pacific Island nation at test level, Manu Samoa tighthead prop Paul Alo-Emile would be a valued addition to Moana Pasifika given experience .
After acquiring 50 appearances for the Melbourne Rebels, the New Zealand-born 29-year-old departed to Stade Francais in 2015 and made his test debut for Samoa against the All Blacks in 2017.
Alo-Emile signed a three-year contract extension with the Parisian club in 2018, meaning he would be a free agent at the end of the current Top 14 season.
Other off-contract players: Joe Apikotoa (Chiefs), Zak Taulafo (Rugby United New York), Sefo Kautai (Brumbies)
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4. Filo Paulo
Age: 33
Nation: Samoa
Test caps: 38
Club: Manawatu
Another Samoan international, Filo Paulo is a well-travelled second rower with 14 collective years of Super Rugby, Pro14 and Premiership experience to his name.
The 33-year-old has also garnered 38 tests for Manu Samoa since 2012 and was part of the squad that competed at the 2019 World Cup.
Paulo returned to New Zealand last year to play for Manawatu in the Mitre 10 Cup following his second spell with Cardiff Blues, but signing with Moana Pasifika would get him back into full-time professional rugby.
Other off-contract players: Joe Tekori (Toulouse), Kane Le’aupepe (Hurricanes)
5. Vaea Fifita
Age: 28
Nation: New Zealand
Test caps: 11
Club: Hurricanes
After first bursting onto the international scene with a scintillating try against Argentina in just his second test for the All Blacks in 2017, many predicted big things to come from Tongan-born Vaea Fifita.
However, things haven’t transpired as smoothly as planned as the 28-year-old utility forward, who is capable of playing lock and blindside flanker, hasn’t played for the All Blacks since July 2019 and has struggled for minutes at Super Rugby level.
Fifita’s one-year contract extension with the Hurricanes expires this year, and if he can’t break into the Wellington side’s match day squad by the end of the season, a move to Moana Pasifika could well be on the cards for the Tongan-born star.
Other off-contract players: Sitaleki Timani (Western Force), Trevor Hosea (Melbourne Rebels)
6. Steven Luatua
Age: 29
Nation: New Zealand
Test caps: 15
Club: Bristol Bears
Earning a reported NZ$1.34 million per year, former All Blacks loose forward Steven Luatua stands as one of rugby’s highest-paid players.
With that kind of money, it’s fair to say the 29-year-old is a key part of the Bristol Bears set-up, and one would imagine head coach Pat Lam will be looking at extending Luatua’s contract beyond its expiration date this year.
However, while he cut short a potentially illustrious test career with the All Blacks four years ago, a chance to represent his Samoan heritage via Moana Pasifika could be an even more enticing prospect.
Other off-contract players: Samipeni Finau (Chiefs)
7. Ardie Savea
Age: 27
Nation: New Zealand
Test caps: 49
Club: Hurricanes
Arguably one of New Zealand’s most influential players both on and off the field, Hurricanes captain and All Blacks star Ardie Savea is coming off-contract with New Zealand Rugby [NZR] this year.
Many would regard the 27-year-old’s signature as a top priority for rugby bosses at the NZR negotiation table, but it isn’t unfathomable to suggest he could suit up for Moana Pasifika next season.
Savea has been outspoken in his passion for his Samoan background, and with the Hurricanes facing a potential exodus of talent after this year, jumping ship to the new side would be a big statement from the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee.
Other off-contract players: Jack Ram (New England Free Jacks), Alamanda Motunga (Counties Manukau)
8. Caleb Timu
Age: 27
Nation: Australia
Test caps: 2
Club: Montpellier
Like Luatua, powerful Australian No. 8 Caleb Timu opted for financial security ahead of a long test career when he left the Queensland Reds for Montpellier in 2019.
The 27-year-old, who played two tests for the Wallabies against Ireland in 2018, joined the Top 14 juggernauts on a two-year deal and has since ruled out returning to Australia in the short-term due to the lifestyle and money on offer in the south of France.
That was before Moana Pasifika was formed, though, and, given Timu is coming off-contract and of Samoan descent, a move back to the Southern Hemisphere may appeal for the New Zealand-born product.
Other off-contract players: Nasi Manu (Otago)
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9. Danny Tusitala
Age: 29
Nation: Samoa
Test caps: 3
Club: Old Glory DC
A regular in New Zealand provincial rugby for Auckland and a former Samoa representative in both XVs and sevens, Danny Tusitala has returned to the United States for a second season with Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby.
It’s in the North American competition where the 29-year-old has flourished for the Washington DC-based club as he’s shown off his electric speed and lethal running game multiple times this season.
It are those traits that would suit the brand of rugby likely to be implemented by Moana Pasifika, and with Tusitala’s Old Glory DC deal ending this year, the three-test Manu Samoa halfback would be a great fit for the franchise.
Other off-contract players: Jonathan Taumateine (Hurricanes), Pele Cowley (Austin Gilgronis), Dwayne Polataivao (Tasman), Melani Matavao (A’ana Chiefs)
10. Matt To’omua
Age: 31
Nation: Australia
Test caps: 54
Club: Melbourne Rebels
After returning to Australian club rugby in 2019 following three seasons abroad with Leicester Tigers, veteran Wallabies playmaker Matt To’omua is coming to the end of his deal with the Melbourne Rebels.
Similarly to Savea, the 31-year-old pivot will be regarded as a high priority retention target by Rugby Australia as they look ahead to the 2023 World Cup, which was confirmed by Rebels chief executive Baden Stephenson last week.
But, according to reports, To’omua highly values aspects other than money when it comes to negotiating for new deals, so perhaps Moana Pasifika could tap into that by convincing him the chance to represent his Samoan heritage is worth signing for.
Other off-contract players: Stephen Perofeta (Blues), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Hurricanes), Kurt Morath (Austin Gilgronis), Latiume Fosita (Counties Manukau), James Faiva (Petrarca)
11. Alapati Leiua
Age: 32
Nation: Samoa
Test caps: 31
Club: Bristol Bears
Already equipped with almost half a century of Super Rugby appearances to his name, former Hurricanes powerhouse Alapati Leiua would seamlessly slot back into the wing if things down south if given the chance by Moana Pasifika.
A 31-cap Manu Samoa international, Leiua departed Super Rugby for the riches of European club rugby in 2014, firstly joining Premiership side Wasps before linking up with the star-studded Bristol Bears three years later.
His contract in Pat Lam’s squad is due to expire this year, though, but with that much experience in the Premiership, Super Rugby and at test level, all while not taking a foreigner’s spot in the team, Leiua would be a prominent figure at Moana Pasifika HQ.
Other off-contract players: Ed Fidow (Worcester Warriors), Toni Pulu (Western Force), George Moala (Clermont)
12. Ngani Laumape
Age: 28
Nation: New Zealand
Test caps: 15
Club: Hurricanes
One of the most damaging ball-runners we’ve seen in Super Rugby in recent times, just how long Ngani Laumape remains in the competition appears uncertain.
The off-contract Hurricanes star is reportedly being circled by French side Stade Francais as the 28-year-old struggles to become a regular selection in the All Blacks squad, garnering just 15 tests since 2017.
The chance to play for Moana Pasifika next year, however, might pique Laumape’s interest as much as the cash-filled Stade Francais proposal given the pride he has of his Tongan heritage.
Other off-contract players: Siale Piutau (Bristol Bears), TJ Faiane (Blues), Danny Toala (Hurricanes), Len Ikitau (Brumbies), Tepai Moeroa (Waratahs), Henry Taefu (Western Force)
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13. Ma’a Nonu
Age: 38
Nation: New Zealand
Test caps: 103
Club: Toulon
Among the greatest players ever to grace the game of rugby, former All Blacks midfielder Ma’a Nonu might view one last ride with Moana Pasifika as the final chapter on his illustrious career once his second stint at Toulon as a medical joker comes to an end.
With a trophy cabinet that features two World Cups, eight Bledisloe Cups, five Tri Nations/Rugby Championships, seven Freedom Cups and 2015 NZR Player of the Year, the 38-year-old All Blacks centurion has little more to prove on the pitch.
What is missing from that raft of accolades, though, is a Super Rugby crown, and after various stints with three different franchises, the lure of both chasing one last title while representing his Samoan background could bring Nonu to Moana Pasifika.
Other off-contract players: Ben Tapuai (Harlequins), Isaia Toeava (Toulon), Lalakai Foketi (Waratahs)
14. Cooper Vuna
Age: 33
Nation: Tonga
Test caps: 18
Club: Newcastle Falcons
A former Wallabies wing who represented Australia in two tests nine years ago, Cooper Vuna was among the first players to utilise an Olympic loophole to change eligibility to play test rugby for Tonga.
A debut for the ‘Ikale Tahi followed in 2016, and the 33-year-old has since gone on to play a total of 16 tests for his second country, who he played for at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Now at the Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership following stints with the Melbourne Rebels, Toshiba Brave Lupus, Worcester Warriors and Bath, as well as a six-year career in rugby league, Vuna would offer a wealth of experience at Moana Pasifika.
Other off-contract players: Belgium Tuatagaloa (Rouen)
15. Tim Nanai-Williams
Age: 31
Nation: Samoa
Test caps: 16
Club: Clermont
Vuna’s eligibility switch followed in the wake of Tim Nanai-Williams, who was the inaugural player to have used the Olympic loophole to change his allegiance from the All Blacks Sevens side to Manu Samoa.
After first appearing for Samoa on the World Sevens Series in 2014, the 31-year-old made his test debut for his nation of heritage the following year and has since featured at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.
Capable of playing in every backline position bar halfback, those who have watched Super Rugby over the past decade know how dangerous Nanai-Williams can be, a facet Moana Pasfika would no doubt be eager to have if he decides to leave Clermont.
Comments on RugbyPass
Love the reaction after last 2 W.Cups re rule changes…maybe good for more for more of a “ league” type running game( which I personally don’t like) but seems Rassie is definitely in ther heads…
5 Go to commentsGreat. More unwanted changes. Because these always work out well.
5 Go to commentsI’m sure South Africa’s opponents will rejoice at World Rugby minimising one of the Boks’ most potent weapons, but you just know Rassie is cooking something up with free-kicks that no-one else has thought of. Let them play checkers. Rassie’s playing chess. 😂
5 Go to commentsAfter a fairly simple Pac4, the BFs will find out a lot about themselves in September when they face the rampaging RedRoses at Twickenham in front of a record crowd. After that they will face them again in Canada in WXV1. They also have France to contend with. Will be interesting to see what Australia have to offer with Jo Yapp at the helm.
1 Go to commentsSuper Rugby Pacific has been better as a spectacle due to the emphasis on speeding the game up and I’d look at taking things a step further. Instead of giving teams 90 seconds to take a conversion, let’s bring that down 60 seconds. You could also look at allowing 45 seconds for a penalty goal. Maybe teams could get 20 seconds instead of 30 to form a scrum before the ref then starts the engagement process. However, this year the most pleasing change is the added competitiveness in the Trans Tasman matches. What does frustrate me is how the rugby media in Australasia allow the the whole ‘‘rugby is boring’’/’’rugby yawnion’’ narrative to take hold from from vindictive league types, the chairman of the ARL commission and News Limited Australia. Stick up for the game and shift the narrative!
22 Go to commentsIt’s not new for nines to be the key playmaker. For the Boks it has been common, with Fourie du Preez and Joost vd Westhuizen being obvious examples. It's also not that recent for nines to be box kicking, covering high balls in the back field, and tackling in the defensive line. For example, Faf de Klerk has been doing all of that for years.
6 Go to commentsThe hell with this constant regurgitation of what this pretty boy is doing. For all I care he might as well be doing a Jamie Oliver cooking course. Rugby is not a progression toward the NFL, which, given its prominence in your reporting, you appear to regard as the ultimate contact sport. It has virtually nothing to do with rugby, and forever may that remain the case. I know that if I don’t like it I don’t have to read it, but I’m sick of seeing this dishwater-dull nonsense.
2 Go to commentsGuys Eben did not mean it in a ugly way as it’s just a feeling he had. We Safas rate the All Blacks and no Bok player wants to play NZ in a Knockout game
148 Go to commentsHe basically described who Aaron Smith also considers the GOAT 9….the one & only Fourie du Preez😎
6 Go to commentsI’m hoping that the Reds can win their last 4 games with a couple of try bonus points. The pessimist in me wouldn't be surprised if the Drua and the Tahs knock the Reds over. The Reds may end up ruing the fact they were distinctly 2nd best against the Force and just so clunky against Moana Pasifica. The Brumbies should win all their remaining games with some bonus points giving them at least a top 2 finish as the leading Kiwi sides will take points off each other. How the Brumbies handle the fact that they will be expected to beat the Crusaders will fascinate me. You’d probably have to go back to 2001 for the last time the Brumbies would go into a game against the Crusaders odds on to win.
8 Go to commentsFree to air is the key to fan expansion. I attended last weeks game at Suncorp (Reds v Blues) and the total cost is prohibitive to most people that wish to attend. Two tickets $130, parking (event day gouging) $75, road tolls $20, dinner beforehand $130, plus some petrol and a beer inside the stadium and a single game starts to cost $300-400. Who can afford that week in week out, I’d love to go more but could only afford this one game to see the Blues, I’d have loved to have seen more NZ teams here but I’d need to stop eating or sell a kidney.
22 Go to commentsBrumbies are looking good and if they keep their home form up a final is not beyond the realms of possibility. They showed against the Hurricanes exactly how clinical they can be as they absorbed pressure in that contest while also scoring points and applying their own pressure. Reds are well placed as well but need to find consistency. They are building a longer term project with a young side and plenty of quality players. Been surprising to see the strength of Aussie sides this year after the debacle of the world cup. Have NZ sides gotten weaker? Have Aussie sides gotten stronger? A bit of both I would say. Whatever the case its good to see some actual competition between NZ and Aus sides again and thats exactly what the fans wanted and is probably driving better viewership numbers. All of this can only be healthy for Aus and Super Rugby and I hope the Brumbies go all the way.
8 Go to commentsDead time reductions are important as is ball in play time increases. Premiership leads the way in terms of ball in play and Northern refereeing standards around the breakdown has sped up the game significantly. Super Rugby is trying new things but its not leading the way in terms of making gains in reducing dead time and ball in play time. Northern administrators are also not against speeding up the game, on the contrary they want a faster game and have been trying things and are embracing increasing the speed of rugby. Super Rugby isnt providing a blueprint for anything, its just part the agreed upon blueprint that administrators across the world are moving to.
22 Go to commentsSome interesting stats that just proved what my first impression of NZ’s drive to speed up Rugby Union would amount to - fine margins here and there to cut a few seconds off the game and nothing else. To do more there would have to be wholesale changes to the game like doing away with scrums, lineouts and bringing back the ELV’s to have free kicks instead of penalties. Very little chance of it happening but, in the end, Ruby Union would be a 15-man version of Rugby League. There are reasons why Rugby Union is globally more popular that Rugby League and what NZ are also not considering is the unintended consequences of what they want to achieve. This will end up turning Rugby Union into a low value product that will not be acceptable to the paying public. If people really wanted a sped-up version of rugby, then why is Rugby Union globally way more popular than Rugby League? Rugby lovers all over the world are also not stupid and have seen through what NZ are trying to achieve here, selfishly to bring back their glory days of dominance over every other nation and compete with Rugby League that is dominant in Australasia. NH countries just don’t have the cattle, or the fantastic weather needed to play like NZ SR franchises do so good luck to whoever has to try and convince the NH to accept going back to the days of NZ dominance and agreeing to wreck the game in the process. I have serious doubts on the validity of the TV stats presented by GP. All they did was expand the broadcasting base by putting it on free to air, not even any indication of arresting the continued drop in viewership. Match day attendance goes hand in hand with broadcast ratings so if there was an increase in the one you should expect to see it with the other. However, the drop in match day attendance is very evident to the casual highlights package viewer. The only club who looks to be getting solid attendance is the Drua. I am calling it now that NZ’s quest to speed up the game will fail and so will the vote on the 20-minute red card.
22 Go to commentsAll of these media pundits always miss the obvious whenever they analyse what is ailing or assisting the game. Rugby always has contentious points for debate when picking apart individual games and finding fault with itself. All this focus and scrutiny on “speeding up the game”, “high ball in play” etc is all contextual to the fan. As a tv viewer, if you’re absorbed into a game, regardless if your team is playing or not, more ball in play time and action are all byproducts of the contest. A good contest subliminally affects your memory in selectively remembering all the good aspects. A poor contest and your brain has switched off because its a blowout and the result is never in doubt or it’s a real chore to watch and remain engaged throughout. The URC, Top 14 and English premiership are all competitions that feel like there’s real jeopardy each week. The dominance of Super rugby by NZ teams was unhealthy from a sustainable interest perspective. You can’t fault those teams or the players, but the lack of competitions won by SA and Australian teams long term was always going to test the faith and patience of die-hard and casual fans from those regions. SANZAR took their eye off the fans and fans voted with their feet and subscriptions. They were so concerned about expanding their product they forgot the golden rule about broadcasting live sport. Viewers tune in more when there’s an atmosphere and a true contest. You need to fill stadiums to create one, host unions need to do more to service ticket buyers, and this year proves the other, there’s more interest in Super rugby this year only because more games are competitive with less foregone conclusions. All these micro statistics bandied about, only interest the bean counters and trainspotters.
22 Go to commentsThe match experience still sucks at SR games, irrespective of the game being a little quicker. Rugby has to compete with so much in the modern world, if you’re going to get people to leave their houses and pay to watch a game in winter then the experience has to be worthwhile.
22 Go to commentsIt’s a good, timely wake up call for NZ Rugby (seem to be a few of them lately!) - sort out the bureaucratic nonsense at board level. We can’t expect to stay the number one option without keeping fans/players engaged. We’ve obviously been bleeding players to league for years but can’t let the floodgates open (although I think this headline is hyperbolic as it’s a result of a recent Warriors pathways system where they are tracking things more closely) Understand the need to focus boys on rugby if they’re at a proud rugby school too, don’t think it’s harsh at all re Barakat in Hamilton. Reward the committed players with squad positions. An elite 1st XV system in NZ has done more for league than they even realise, think it’s good to protect our game further.
6 Go to commentsDon’t pay a blind bit of notice to Lukie… he likes the sound of his own voice and is always looking for something controversial to say. He has been banging on about Leinster's defensive system all season like he knows something Jacques Nienebar doesn’t. Which is the reason why he didn’t apply for the job obviously
16 Go to commentsWho got the benefits out of Schmidt, Lowe, Aki, and Gibson Park?
16 Go to commentsWhat’s new its a common occurrence, just the journos out there expecting a negative spin. The outcome will be beneficial to jordie and Leinster. The home grown lads hav got some experience to step up to and be more competitive, that or spend the 6 months keeping the bench warm.
16 Go to comments