The Moana Pasifika Franchise

[Rugbynutter39]

So a 34 year old flyhalf is MP (Moana Pasifika)'s first and only public signing....hmmm.....still yeh I agree not a bad signing as Force shown benefit of having some old experienced heads to show some leadership to the less experienced members of the squad.

 

[Dan54]

So a 34 year old flyhalf is MP (Moana Pasifika)'s first and only public signing....hmmm.....still yeh I agree not a bad signing as Force shown benefit of having some old experienced heads to show some leadership to the less experienced members of the squad.

They have signed 30 players RN, think they waiting to make the big announcement when squads have to be named. Probably going for 'the big bang theory'. Also think a few players wanting to finish commitments or whatever.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

They have signed 30 players RN, think they waiting to make the big announcement when squads have to be named. Probably going for 'the big bang theory'. Also think a few players wanting to finish commitments or whatever.

30 players signed - sounds like yes still a few signatures to collect

 

[Dan54]

Their second official announcement, bloody good pick up, never realised he was nephew of The Iceman and Eroni Clarke!

AFIO MAI EREATARA ENARI
With five Super Rugby titles under his belt, the 24 year-old brings a wealth of experience to our side

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ NZ Schools & U20's & Crusaders so quite the cv for a 24yo. Plus he can truthfully tell the ladies he's Caleb Clarke's cousin

 

[Dan54]

Plus another couple of Tongan test players named today, I liking it:
Sione Tu’ipulotu and Solomone Funaki, both of whom ply their trade in New Zealand’s NPC for Auckland and Hawke’s Bay, respectively.

 

[Dctarget]

Kepu has signed.

 

[Pfitzy]

Kepu has signed.

The greybeard

 

[Dan54]

Surprised he wasn't first, another ok experienced signing.

 

[Jets]

Three Samoan players sign, Henry Taefu, Neria Foma’i and Tomasi Alosio

Moana Pasifika announce signings of three Manu Samoa internationals

Moana Pasifika have continued their spending spree by announcing the signings of three Manu Samoa internationals.

www.rugbypass.com

 

[RugbyReg]

there's a bit of a squad list going on on that first page

 

[Dctarget]

Ma’a Nonu rumoured to be the next signing. Obviously never turn down one of the greatest centres of all time but he’s been looking a bit.. portly of late. That poor horse on the weekend

 

[Dan54]

Ma’a Nonu rumoured to be the next signing. Obviously never turn down one of the greatest centres of all time but he’s been looking a bit.. portly of late. That poor horse on the weekend

Thought Nonu was tied up with a MLR club in San Diego.

 

[Dan54]

And todays announcement is Lincoln McCluthie, he one of the ones that can't play for Samoa/Tonga, but a bloody good buy!

 

[Tazzmania]

And todays announcement is Lincoln McCluthie, he one of the ones that can't play for Samoa/Tonga, but a bloody good buy!

Agreed very good pick up. has looked very calm, measured and competent in the NPC.

 

[Dan54]

These 2 brothers to be announced tomorrow and another Samoan
The Inisi brothers have worn the North Harbour NPC & Tongan 7s jerseys together and now have the opportunity to add the Moana Pasifika jersey to their impressive repertoire

 

[upthereds#!]

Do we think there are going to be many players selected who are elgiible for Tonga/Samoa but havn't already been capped? Quite a few guys got caps in the Winter.

I know there havn't been many but everyone so far is either already captured or ineligible.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

"We want the best Pacific Island players"
"So..... you'll be based in the Pacific Islands?
"No, we'll be based in Auckland, New Zealand."
"And how will you pay these players?
"With money from New Zealand"
"So these players who are usually born in NZ and have lived in NZ all their lives can still play for the All Blacks?"
"No, that is poaching. We want them to play for Tonga, Samoa etc."
"And how will they get paid for doing that?"
"They won't."

Sorry to steal your first message Dr W.F.T Blundershart III, but going to track the squad list here:

Coaching Team:
Aaron Mauger - Head Coach

Hooker:


Prop:
Sekope Kepu

Lock:


Backrow:
Sione Tu’ipulotu
Solomone Funaki

Scrumhalf:
Ereatara Enari


Flyhalf:
Christian Lealiifano

Centre:
Henry Taefu

Wing:
Neria Fomai (also centre)
Tomasi Alosio

Fullback:

Is this the sevens MP (Moana Pasifika) squad…oh truck did someone forget to tell them they are playing xv’s

 

[Rugbynutter39]

What I find amusing is that for years now people on here have been saying NZR should put out more teams and/ or share their players with the RA teams to Level the playing field, but as soon as they add a team (technically two as I believe they also hold Drua's licence) it gets cast as a cunning plan to increase the AB selection base.

Came across this post…fair point but reality is most of us oz rugby hard core think nzru are a bunch of …ts - and yeh we also know kiwis think RA are a bunch of something (fill in the blanks______)…parochial bunch aren’t we (and of course local national media does not play up to and magnify this)…as you were….

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Solomone Kata has been granted any early release by the Brumbies so he can stay in NZ for family reasons & will no doubt be looking for a gig.