Moana Pasifika

Moana Pasifika is a rugby union team made up of New Zealand-based players who identify with Pacific island nations, including Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, organised by the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Moana Pasifika
UnionsNZRU
Coach(es)Tana Umaga
Captain(s)Michael Alaalatoa

On 5 December 2020, the team played their first match, against the Māori All Blacks at Waikato Stadium. A 26-man squad was selected for this encounter, with Australian-born Samoan Michael Alaalatoa the captain and New Zealand-born Samoan Tana Umaga the coach.

The team hopes to join Super Rugby in 2022.[1]

Matches
Opposing Teams For Against Result Date Venue City Competition
 Māori All Blacks 21 28 Lost 2020-12-05 Waikato Stadium Hamilton Friendly

Players

On 24 November 2020, Tana Umaga named a 26-man squad for the match against the Māori All Blacks on 5 December 2020.[1][2] Bold indicates that the player has a test cap. Italics indicates that the player has played international rugby sevens.

Player Position Date of birth Country of heritage 2020 Club/province National caps
Leni Apisai Hooker 3 August 1996 Samoa / Tuvalu Sunwolves / Auckland 0
Samisoni Taukei'aho Hooker 8 August 1997 Tonga Chiefs / Waikato 0
Michael Alaalatoa (c) Prop 28 August 1991 Samoa Crusaders / Manawatu 5
Jordan Lay Prop 5 November 1992 Samoa Bristol Bears / Bay of Plenty 12
Daniel Lienert-Brown Prop 9 February 1993 Samoa Highlanders / Canterbury 0
Sione Mafileo Prop 14 April 1993 Tonga Blues / North Harbour 0
Naitoa Ah Kuoi Lock 7 October 1999 Samoa Chiefs / Wellington 0
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti Lock 16 June 1992 Samoa Blues / North Harbour 0
Samipeni Finau Lock 10 May 1999 Tonga Waikato 0
Zane Kapeli Lock 28 September 1992 Tonga Highlanders / Bay of Plenty 10
Nasi Manu Back row 15 August 1988 Tonga Benetton / Otago 6
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u Back row 11 June 1996 Samoa Highlanders / Hawke's Bay 0
Alamanda Motuga Back row 11 September 1994 Samoa Counties Manukau 1
Pita Gus Sowakula Back row 26 October 1994 Fiji Chiefs / Taranaki 0
Folau Fakatava Scrum half 16 December 1999 Tonga Highlanders / Hawke's Bay 0
Dwayne Polataivao Scrum-half 30 July 1990 Samoa Utah Warriors / Tasman 16
Josh Ioane Fly half 11 July 1995 Samoa Highlanders / Otago 1 (New Zealand)
Stephen Perofeta Fly half / Full back 12 March 1997 Samoa Blues / Taranaki 0
Vince Aso Centre / Wing 5 January 1995 Samoa Hurricanes / Wellington 0
Fetuli Paea Centre / Wing 16 August 1994 Tonga Crusaders / Tasman 2
Tomasi Alosio Wing 26 January 1992 Samoa Wellington 0
Leicester Fainga'anuku Wing / Centre 11 October 1999 Tonga Crusaders / Tasman 0
Jone Macilai-Tori Wing 27 August 1990 Fiji Munakata Sanix Blues / Northland 0
Etene Nanai-Seturo Wing / Full back 20 August 1999 Samoa Chiefs / Counties Manukau 0
Salesi Rayasi Wing 25 September 1996 Fiji / Samoa Hurricanes / Auckland 0
Asaeli Tikoirotuma Wing 24 June 1986 Fiji North Harbour 23

Coaching staff

The staff was made up of coaches employed by the NZRU.

Role Name Country of heritage
Head Coach Tana Umaga Samoa
Assistant Coach Aaron Mauger Cook Islands / Samoa
Assistant Coach Tom Coventry Samoa
Assistant Coach Ben Afeaki Tonga

See also

References
  1. "Tana Umaga names experienced Moana Pasifika squad". rnz.co.nz. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  2. "Moana Pasifika names side to face Māori All Blacks". allblacks.com. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
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