Super Rugby Pacific: Getting to Know Moana Pasifika
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Super Rugby newcomers Moana Pasifika will enter their debut season next year with former All Blacks centre Aaron Mauger at the helm.
Mauger, who played 45 Tests for New Zealand, has previously coached the Highlanders in Super Rugby and Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership.
Moana Pacific was originally created for a one off match against the Maori All Blacks at the end of the New Zealand 2020 rugby union season.
The side, then captained by Samoan international Michael Ala'alatoa and coached by Tana Umaga, lost to the Maori 28–21.
For its inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season, the club said it has signed around 30 of the 38 players who will make up its squad for the 2022 tournament.
Recently confirmed squad:
AFIO MAI EREATARA ENARI 🙌🏽
With five Super Rugby titles under his belt, the 24 year-old brings a wealth of experience to our side 🏉
Keep your eyes locked for a double announcement tomorrow! 👀 pic.twitter.com/5JdSy4IYkq
— Moana Pasifika Rugby (@MoanaPasifika_) October 15, 2021
Crusaders and Hawke's Bay halfback Eretara Enari is joined by Auckland lock/loose forward utility Sione Tu'ipulotu and loose forward Solomone Funaki, who also plays for Hawke's Bay.
ME’A MAI SEKOPE KEPU! 🙌🏽
— Moana Pasifika Rugby (@MoanaPasifika_) October 19, 2021
With 110 test caps to his name, former Wallaby Sekope Kepu (Counties Manukau) will anchor our scrum in 2022. Kepu has played 295 professional matches since his debut in 2006 and bring with him a wealth of knowledge to impart on our exciting, young squad pic.twitter.com/vlfludBEwO
Mālō hoʻomo kau mai ongo tokoua! 🇹🇴
— Moana Pasifika Rugby (@MoanaPasifika_) October 16, 2021
‘Ikale Tahi loose forward pairing Sione Tu’ipulotu (@AucklandRugby) & Solomone Funaki (@hbmagpies) bolster our forward pack for the 2022 @SuperRugby season 💪🏽 #TokoUso2022 #RideTheWave pic.twitter.com/xLMdWcGPRc
Moana Pasifika has also confirmed to have secured the services of Hawke’s Bay Magpies first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie for the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season.
NAU MAI, HAERE MAI E HOA 👐🏽
— Moana Pasifika Rugby (@MoanaPasifika_) October 20, 2021
The magician pulling the strings at the Hawke's Bay Magpies has joined the Moana Pasifika whānau for 2022 🔥 @SuperRugbyNZ @SuperRugby @hbmagpies
Read more here: https://t.co/TmrlO3BlYy pic.twitter.com/D9z66KWPNX
Moana Pasifika will be based in South Auckland, Auckland Region, and will play their fixtures at Mount Smart Stadium until 2028.
Aaron Mauger will coach the side for the next three years.
