Moana Pasifika are pleased to announce that four-time DHL Super Rugby Champion Sione Havili-Talitui will be joining their side from 2024-2025. Havili-Talitui departs from the current title holders the Crusaders after spending four years in Christchurch.
“I’m excited to be joining the Moana Pasifika side for the 2024 & 2025 seasons. I’ve loved my time with the Crusaders and enjoyed a lot of success with the club but I see this move as a new challenge and opportunity for me” says Havili-Talitui.
Born in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, Havili-Talitui is deeply rooted in his Tongan heritage and is proud to be a part of a franchise that uplifts his culture. Excited by the opportunity to inspire the youth in the Pacific, the seven-cap Tongan international has also been selected in this year’s ‘Ikale Tahi squad in preparation for the July internationals and Rugby World Cup in France.
“I’ll be part of a relatively new club, with the aim of helping them find more success on the field. I also see a huge opportunity in creating a strong culture and legacy there. I’ll be bringing with me all my previous experiences as a professional to help drive results at the club.”
Since attending Auckland Grammar School, Havili-Talitui has been nothing but a winner at all levels. Starting with his selection in 2016 to the NZ Secondary Schools team, Havili-Talitui was awarded the ‘Golden Boot’, which regarded him as the country’s best schoolboy rugby player. In the Mitre 10 Cup, Havili-Talitui was an integral member in the Tasman Mako team that won their inaugural title in 2019, in which they returned as champs in 2020. In that year, Havili-Talitui received Tasman Mako Player of the Year, Mako Man of the Year, and Defender of the year.
Sione Havili-Talitui was given an opportunity in 2023 to shine in a starting role for the Crusaders. This season alone, Havili-Talitui made 126 tackles at an outstanding 91% success rate. Also having averaged ten carries a game, Havili-Talitui’s versatility and ability to cover all three positions at the back of the scrum has made him a great asset to any team and a complete threat all over the park.
All this is a testament to his extremely dedicated work ethic and desire to be great, a trait that will be invaluable as a teammate for Moana Pasifika as they enter their third season.
“Sione has been a standout flanker in the competition this year and we’re thrilled to have him join us for the upcoming years” says Moana Pasifika CEO Pelenato Sakalia.
“We’re excited to add a player of Sione’s experience and caliber to our environment, and we look forward to the next two seasons with him.”
‘Talitali fiefia’ Sione.
ENDS
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