Moana Pasifika are pleased to announce the re-signing of hard working loose forward Miracle Faiilagi for the 2024 season. The 24-year-old was the feel-good story of Super Rugby Pacific competition in 2023 with a story that captured the hearts and minds of the rugby fraternity.
Faiilagi was plucked out of Samoan club rugby after being identified at the yearly World Rugby Pacific Combine held in Suva, Fiji. The combine serves as a pathway to representing the Pacific Island national teams and provides exposure to a high-performance program. The top athletes from Samoa, Tonga & Fiji assembled for an intensive training week to emulate a professional rugby environment.
Moana Pasifika’s coaching staff attended the combine with the intention of rewarding two players with training contracts for the 2023 preseason. However, Faiilagi impressed with his physical prowess, game intelligence and professionalism which saw him rewarded with a full-time contract.
After scoring five tries in his debut season and setting stadiums alight in New Zealand, Australia and his beloved Samoa, Faiilagi was awarded the franchises 2022 Niu Rookie of the Year. To receive the award, the player must be in their first year of Super Rugby and is voted by the players and management of the team. The person is selected for their ability to adapt to the demands of Super Rugby through outstanding levels of self-leadership, discipline, and professionalism.
Miracle stormed onto the Super Rugby Pacific scene with a stellar breakout season and his form earned him a spot in the Manu Samoa Rugby World Cup 2023 Squad. Having represented Samoa on the HSBC World Sevens Seven’s Circuit and the Manuma Samoa A, his selection for the Manu has been an extremely proud moment for Moana Pasifika as well as for Miracle and his aiga.
Faiilagi, who hails from the villages of Vailele and Uafato, played for the Lauli’i Lions before joining Moana Pasifika in December last year. His journey to New Zealand and ascension in Super Rugby Pacific aligns with the vision and purpose of Moana Pasifika, and his inspiring story has been a key reason to why the flanker has been embraced by Moana Pasifika fans around the world.
He is a gifted athlete whose talent is only outdone by his work ethic. Standing at 6 ft 4, the towering flanker has shown to be on of the best ball running forwards in the competition. With a full season under his belt as well as what will be a World Cup campaign, 2024 looks to be another special season for Miracle Faiilagi.
ENDS
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