Moana Pasifika 2023

[Bovidae]

This would be an addition to the coaching team, rather than replacing an assistant coach. I assume that Mauger was in charge of the attack this year?

[Tim]

Weren't they supposed to have named a squad this week?

[Stargazer]

@Tim Yes, I'm looking at their social media like

[Steven Harris]

@Tim this Friday i have heard.

[Stargazer]

Two weeks has become a month. I wonder whether they had trouble getting some signatures on contracts? Or get the approval of the Samoa or Tonga Union because they want to (re-)sign some non-PI eligible players (like McClutchie)?

[Bones]

@Stargazer Alaimalo?

[Stargazer]

@Bones See Chiefs 2023 thread. He's moving to Hamilton, not Auckland.

[Bones]

@Stargazer said in Moana Pasifika 2023:

@Bones See Chiefs 2023 thread. He's moving to Hamilton, not Auckland.

Wouldn't be unheard of for players to reside in the tron and commute to South Auckland would it?

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

Moana Pasifika name 2023 DHL Super Rugby Pacific Squad – Moana Pasifika

Moana Pasifika has assembled an exciting and consistent team for the 2023 DHL Super Rugby Pacific Season with 38 of the 39 contracted players capped during their inaugural year in the competition.

Headlining the five new signings in the 2023 squad is Samoa-based loose forward, Miracle Fai’ilagi. The 23-year old was identified by Head Coach Aaron Mauger and Forwards Coach Leota Filo Tiatia at the 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 in September for an intensive training week to emulate a professional rugby environment.

He has represented Samoa in Rugby Sevens ...

Four further players have earned themselves their first Super Rugby contracts after impressing as replacement players for Moana Pasifika in 2022.

Otago’s Abraham Pole
Manu Samoa first five eighth D’Angelo Leuila
Ta$man Mako lock Mahonri Ngakuru and North Harbour loose forward Michael Curry

[Stargazer]

I don't know anything about the duration of the contracts of most of the MP players, so don't know how many spots they had to fill (other than the five mentioned), but if attracting experienced players from the Northern Hemisphere was one of their goals, they have not succeeded in doing so. Not a single "returned" player has been added to the squad.

Last year, the excuse was the short time frame for signing players. This year?

[mikedogz]

I thought Ahsee Tuala might have got a contract.

[mikedogz]

57K views · 2.7K reactions | Meet Miracle Faiilagi, our newest. 🤝🏾...

Meet Miracle Faiilagi, our newest. 🤝🏾 In a Super Rugby Pacific first, Miracle is the first player ever to be signed straight out of Samoan club rugby. 🇼🇸

[Stargazer]

WTG members spotted on MP's socials:

Niko Jones
Paula Latu
Riley Hohepa?

[Stargazer]

It doesn't look like MP will be playing in a new jersey in 2023, but they have significantly extended their range:

All Items

[taniwharugby]

@Stargazer Jonah Mau'u from Northland has joined the squad as a short term replacement too (is a 7)

[Stargazer]

It looks like MP and the Blues trained together, yesterday, incl a training match.

moanapasifika Fa’afetai lava for the hit out @bluesrugbyteam

[Stargazer]

Keven Mealamu helping MP!

[taniwharugby]

Looks like Jonah Mau'u has been added to the MP roster permanently as opposed to injury cover as he was originally.

Northern Advocate, New Zealand, Sport, Rugby, Super Rugby, Talanoa

Taniwha loose forward called up for Moana Pasifika

Waipū premier rugby skipper Jonah Mau'u has been selected for Moana Pasifika.

[Stargazer]

One Moana Pasifika player playing club rugby, this weekend:

Counties Manukau
Jonathan Taumateine (9, Manurewa)

I don't think there were club rugby games in the Auckland, Northland and BOP regions.