Moana Pasifika Head Coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga says the team want to “bust the door open” in 2025, naming a strong core group of players from 2024, with the addition of some exciting new players set to boost the squad in the upcoming season.
The team have made 14 new signings which includes players who have been elevated to full-time contracts. Seven of these players are new to the Moana Pasifika environment.
“It’s exciting, we’ve got a new group of players and a new group of staff coming on board in 2025 for Moana Pasifika. I think the caliber of all these people is going to lift Moana Pasifika from where we’ve been,” Umaga says.
Speedster Solomon Alaimalo makes his return to rugby union, joining the team after a stint with the Wests Tigers in the NRL.
The winger was born in Auckland and grew up in Canterbury. He made 47 appearances for the Chiefs before playing a short stint with the Highlanders.
Umaga added: “The likes of Ardie Savea, Pone Fa’amausili, Solomon Alaimalo, Jackson Garden-Bachop. These guys who are experienced in Super Rugby will add to the experience we’ve already got that took us to where we got to last year.
“We had some close games last year where we could compete for long minutes. I think if we had some more experience in certain areas then we might’ve been able to turn those games into wins.
“We’ve got a lot of young players coming through too. Tito Tuipulotu is coming through and some of these guys who had a season with injury like Miracle Faiilagi who didn’t play as much as he wanted to last year.”
“We’ve also got some seasoned campaigners that have been part of our movement for a long time. Like Jonathan Taumateine and Danny Toala who have grown up in the Moana Pasifika environment. They know what it’s about and feel a real big part of that.”
The forward pack is spearheaded by 2024 Forward of the Year Lotu Inisi and Moana Man of the Year Sione Havili Talitui. It is further bolstered with the addition of Wallabies prop Pone Fa’amausili and the re-signings of Samuel Slade, Alamanda Motuga and Sione Mafileo.
Front rower and Moana Pasifika foundation player Chris Apoua makes his return to the side.
In the backs, Marlborough’s finest Kyren Taumoefolau lit up the Super Rugby stage last season and earns his chance to shine as a fully contracted player.
The dynamic 21-year-old made his international debut for the ‘Ikale Tahi even before his Super Rugby debut. He was selected for their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign and scored in Tonga’s win over Romania.
He played in the Moana Pasifika U20s side before joining the development team in 2024. He played in nine Super Rugby matches last season, scoring three tries and recording 520 carry metres. This ranked him third in the team.
“We want to play a style that suits us and represents who we are and where we come from. As a byproduct of that, we want to develop our young people to live good lives,” Umaga says.
“We know we’re in a competitive market here and we want to be competitive. We’ll enjoy it with our Pacific way and making sure that culture is at the forefront of that.”
MOANA PASIFIKA 2025 FULL SQUAD
FORWARDS
Abraham Pole – Lapaha, Fua’amotu (Tongatapu). Funga Fonua (‘Eua) & Ha’apai (Tonga)
Alamanda Motuga – Sataoa & Sa’anapu (Samoa)
Allan Craig* – Ahipara, New Zealand
Ardie Savea* – Siumu, Luatuanu’u, Falesiu-uta (Samoa)
Chris Apoua* – Salamumu & Fasito’o Uta (Samoa)
Irie Papuni – Kolomotu’a & Ha’ateiho (Tongatapu) (Tonga)
James Lay – Sasina & Safotu (Samoa)
Lotu Inisi – Longoteme (Tongatapu) & Fangale’ounga (Ha’apai) (Tonga). Falelatai (Samoa)
Michael Curry* – Faatoia & Taufusi (Samoa)
Miracle Faiilagi – Vailele & Uafato (Samoa)
Ofa Tauatevalu – Pangaimotu (Vava’u) (Tonga)
Ola Tauelangi – Vaini (Tongatapu) (Tonga)
Pone Fa’amausili* -Malie & Vailoa Palauli (Samoa)
Samiuela Moli – Te’ekiu (Tongatapu) & Leimatu’a (Vava’u) (Tonga)
Samuel Slade – Sapunaoa, Vailoa & Palauli (Samoa)
Sama Malolo – Siusega & Salelologa (Samoa)
Semisi Paea – Falaleu (Vava’u), Houmakelikao (Tongatapu) (Tonga)
Sione Havili Talitui – Pangai, Nomuka (Ha’apai) Tofoa (Tongatapu) Niuafo’ou (Tonga)
Sione Mafileo* – Hofoa (Tongatapu) & Longomapu (Tonga)
Tomasi Maka – Longoteme & Holopeka (Ha’apai) (Tonga)
Tito Tuipulotu* – Togafuafua, Manono, Vaiee, Apolima, Satufia, Satupaʻitea (Samoa)
Tom Savage – Havering (England)
BACKS
Aisea Halo – Puke, Lakepa (Tonga Tapu), Leimatua, Ta’anea (Vava’u), Fatai, Koulo, Holopeka (Ha’apai) (Tonga)
Danny Toala – Faleasi’u & Lotofaga (Samoa)
Fine Inisi – Longoteme (Tongatapu) & Fangale’ounga (Ha’apai) (Tonga). Falelatai (Samoa)
Jackson Garden-Bachop* – Ngāti Awa, Moerai (Rurutu, French Polynesia), Turangi, Titikaveka and Ngatangiia (Rarotonga), Lalomanu (Samoa)
Jonathan Taumateine – Nofoali’i & Satapuala (Samoa)
Julian Savea – Siumu, Luatuanu’u & Falesiu Uta (Samoa)
Kyren Taumoefolau* – Tu`anekivale (Vava`u) & Ha’afeva (Ha’apai) (Tonga)
Lalomilo Lalomilo – Falefa, Sinamoga, Safotu, Salailua (Samoa)
Losi Filipo* – Salemoa (Samoa)
Melani Matavao* – Fasito’o-Uta & Lauli’i (Samoa)
Neria Fomai – Lepuia’i Manono Tai & Magiagi (Samoa)
Patrick Pellegrini* – Tatakamotonga (Tonga)
Pepesana Patafilo – Magiagi & Vailima (Samoa)
Solomon Alaimalo* – Vaigaga, Apolima, Sa’anapu, Saasaai (Samoa)
Tuna Tuitama* – Mulifanua & Faleasiu (Samoa)
William Havili – Sopu, Kolomatu’a (Tonga)
*Denotes new player
ENDS
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