Report: Moana Pasifika to lose All Blacks hopeful Kyren Taumoefolau

Immensely promising Moana Pasifika star Kyren Taumoefolau is set for a change of scenery, according to reports out of New Zealand.

Two months ago, Moana head coach Tana Umaga admitted the young speedster was the subject of much interest and holding onto him may prove difficult in a competitive landscape.

The former All Blacks captain said his Tonga-capped star had created opportunities for himself with his form, and now had to decide what the next chapter of his story would look like.

The comments followed a Crowd Goes Wild interview where Taumoefolau stated he’d be open to representing New Zealand with the All Blacks, should that door be opened.

RugbyPass contributor Gregor Paul penned a column for the New Zealand Herald on Tuesday breaking the story, and later stated on Newstalk ZB he was “pretty certain” it was the Chiefs who had won the 22-year-old’s signature.

“This is a move that a young man is willing to make for a number of reasons,” Paul explained, talking with D’Arcy Waldergrave.

“One of which, he’s from Tasman, he grew up in New Zealand, his desire as a kid was to play for the All Blacks. He, somewhat surprisingly, was given an opportunity to play for Tonga at the 2023 World Cup, which he took.

“Under current eligibility laws, there’s a three-year stand-down period and playing for Tonga at the World Cup did not kill his All Black dream. It meant, in all honesty, he could enhance his prospects of playing for the All Blacks at the ’27 World Cup.

“I think he’s at that point now; he’s young, he’s still only 22, he’s got an opportunity to move south to the Chiefs. They’re looking to replace Shaun Stevenson, who’s off to Japan, and he (Taumoefolau) wants to have a crack at seeing if he can be an All Black.”

Speaking on the Hurtlocker Podcast earlier this season, the Nelson product talked of his days playing first five-eighth at school. He said he was given the impression he would be selected in the Crusaders Under 18 squad, only to be left out when the club opted to bring two Auckland prospects down to fill the playmaking position.

The omission ignited Taumoefolau’s competitive spirit, and with that chip on his shoulder, he followed opportunities with Tonga Sevens, Tonga and then Moana Pasifika.

With that playmaking experience, it’s possible the Chiefs are looking at Taumoefolau as a fullback despite the bulk of his professional career to date being played on the wing.

The Hamilton-based heavyweights already boast elite outside backs in former All Blacks Sevens stars Leroy Carter and Etene Nanai-Seturo, as well as rising star Emoni Narawa, who earned his first All Blacks appearance in 2023.

The Chiefs host Moana Pasifika in Hamilton this weekend, with Taumoefolau named to start on his familiar right wing.