Moana Pasifika fans, crowd and supporters.
Photo: Photosport / Elias Rodriguez
As Moana Pasifika prepares for the upcoming Super Rugby season, a strong sense of purpose is pumping through the squad.
While the departure of former captain Ardie Savea has left a significant gap, new recruits Tupou Afungia, Jimmy Tupou and Mamoru Harada agree the team’s cultural identity remains its foundation, with players drawn from across the Pacific and beyond.
Afungia fulfilling a dream
Tongan-born Afungia said joining the team has fulfilled a lifelong goal to represent his cultural heritage on the world stage.
He moved to Aotearoa to finish school and joined the rugby scene in Hawke’s Bay. But even after playing in America for three years, he could not pass up the opportunity to return and join Moana Pasifika.
Tupou Afungia
Photo: americasrugbynews.com
“Coming to Moana wasn’t a hard decision for me,” Afungia said. “Growing up in Tonga, I always wanted to play Super Rugby, and represent my culture.”
He said it was special to celebrate cultural identity every day, and his warm welcome into the team quickly led to close bonds with his “Pasifika brothers”.
“It’s special … playing for Moana Pasifika is a bit different. We just have that special connection with especially playing together with your Tongan brothers and your Tongan and Samoan brothers, so it’s a special connection that we have here.”
Afungia pointed to the newly appointed captain Miracle Fai’ilagi as an example of what “kids back home can achieve”.
“Him coming straight from the islands just shows kids that anything can happen.”
Now, one of Afungia’s own dreams is coming true.
“When I first moved over, as I mentioned earlier, I’ve got heaps of mates, older mates that play for Moana. And there was one game last year, I think, or the year before then, when they played in Tonga,” Afungia said.
“My dad always wanted a Moana jersey. I remember him asking me to ask one of my mates if he can get a jersey. So my personal goal is hopefully I get to wear that jersey, and hopefully I can then give it to my dad.”
“My dad has been a big role model for me. He’s the one that introduced me to rugby, and I think this, that’s the reason why I’m still chasing the rugby goal, for my dad.”
Japanese recruit Harada: ‘Never had so much singing and dancing!’
Moana Pasifika’s latest Japanese recruit Harada said his experience thus far has been “surprising”.
Having previously played Super Rugby with the Japanese Sunwolves, Harada represents a different but equally meaningful cultural thread within the squad.
Mamoru Harada, joining Moana Pasifika 2026 squad
Photo: TNT Sports
One of the most surprising things, he said, is the constant “dancing and singing”.
“I’ve never danced before my practice in Japan, but here everyone has to like dancing or singing before practice. So yeah, I’m suprised!
“But everyone enjoys the culture and the team culture. That’s so awesome. I like it,” Harada said.
While the language barrier is a slight challenge, Harada said the team are united with one goal in mind this season.
“We want to get top six, and win the competition. That’s my goal, and I’ll give everything to it,” he said.
Tupou joins squad
Also joining the squad is Chiefs utility forward Jimmy Tupou, who has been making “good use” of his Japanese language skills with Harada after spending time playing in Japan himself.
“I can only imagine how daunting it has been for Mamoru, but he fits so well into the team,” Tupou said. “The Japanese players have a really strong work ethic, which has rubbed off really well on the team.”
Blues lock/flanker Jimmy Tupou wants to represent the ‘Ikale Tahi.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Tupou added that the prioritisation of culture and identity within Moana Pasifika has allowed him to deepen connections with his own heritage.
“It is a bit different. I think it’s been really nice for me to be able to reconnect with my culture, personally as a Tongan…”
“I’ve always been connected to it. But I think because it’s just everywhere here in this team, I think it probably opens my eyes a little bit more. Maybe there’s a little bit more that I can do to learn about my culture, about my language… and it’s just made me realise that’s something I want to pursue, just getting to know my culture a bit better.”
He added that culture practice is a normal part of the team’s daily routine, reminding him of the values he grew up with, but drifted away from during his professional career overseas.
“We have a thing called lotu every morning, which is prayer, we’re singing a lot of hymns, and that’s something that’s new to me. So it’s been nice to reconnect with the religious side of it,” Tupou said.
“I’ll be the first one to admit I haven’t been to church too much, but it’s something I grew up with. So it’s been nice to sort of have that aspect in our team.”
Moana Pasifika 2026 squad
Props: Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Malakai Hala-Ngatai*, Paula Latu*, Tito Tuipulotu
Hookers: Mamoru Harada*, Millennium Sanerivi, Samiuela Moli, LOCKS: Alefosio Aho*, Allan Craig, Jimmy Tupou*, Ofa Tauatevalu, Tom Savage
Loose forwards: Dominic Ropeti*, Miracle Faiilagi, Niko Jones, Ola Tauelangi, Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Tupou Afungia *
Halfbacks: Augustine Pulu*, Jonathan Taumateine, Melani Matavao, Siaosi Nginingini
First-fives: Faletoi Peni*, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Patrick Pellegrini
Midfielders: Julian Savea, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Ngani Laumape*, Tevita Latu*
Outside-backs: Glen Vaihu*, Israel Leota*, Solomon Alaimalo, Tevita Ofa, Tuna Tuitama, William HavilIi
* – denotes uncapped player