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Report: Moana Pasifika's Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa tipped to make All Blacks squad

Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa of Moana makes a break during the round 11 Super Rugby match between Highlanders and Moana Pasifika at One NZ Stadium, on April 26, 2026, in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
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Uncapped Moana Pasifika forward Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa has been tipped to make the All Blacks squad according to a report.

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The 23-year-old blockbusting No.8 is likely to be picked according to New Zealand news outlet The Post, with a report suggesting that he will make the 44-man group after signing with NZR.

Ta’eiloa was one of the most destructive ball carriers in Super Rugby Pacific this season, finishing in the top 10 for most carries and top 10 for defenders beaten.

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His new deal until the end of 2028 with NZR makes him eligible for selection with his physical ball carrying adding another dimension to the loose forward crops.

As a specialist No.8 Tupou Ta’eiloa will add cover for captain Ardie Savea and possibly fill the role for the mid-week team with fixtures against South Africa’s club teams starting with the Stormers.

Schooled at Otago Boys, Tupou Ta’eiloa has played for Southland since 2023 in the NPC before joining Moana Pasifika for Super Rugby in 2025.

The All Blacks touring squad is named Monday with 10 additional names expected from the Nations Championship squad that played during July.

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2 Comments
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CT 33 mins ago

They need all the help that they can from the outside,coming up against a 100 percent South African team LMA Benny

T
Tah Man Too 1 hr ago

That's a great pick up for the AB’s. He was outstanding these past two seasons in SRP. With a little extra conditioning he's gonna be a class international.

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