It is a fresh Moana Pasifika squad announced by head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga who definitely is looking to improve from the wooden spoon finish in the last few years.

The team has 21 Samoan players including two local talents, Melani Matavao and Tuna Tuitama.

The team made 14 new signings including players elevated to full-time contracts. Seven of these players are new to the Moana Pasifika environment.

"It's exciting, we've got a new group of players and a new group of staff coming on board in 2025 for Moana Pasifika. I think the calibre of all these people is going to lift Moana Pasifika from where we've been," Umaga said.  

Speedster Solomon Alaimalo returns to rugby union, joining the team after a stint with the Wests Tigers in the NRL.  

Umaga added: "The likes of Ardie Savea, Pone Fa'amausili, Solomon Alaimalo, Jackson Garden-Bachop. These guys who are experienced in Super Rugby will add to the experience we've already got that took us to where we got to last year.

"We had some close games last year where we could compete for long minutes. I think if we had some more experience in certain areas then we might've been able to turn those games into wins.

"We've got a lot of young players coming through too. Tito Tuipulotu is coming through and some of these guys who had a season with injury like Miracle Faiilagi who didn't play as much as he wanted to last year."

"We've also got some seasoned campaigners that have been part of our movement for a long time. Like Jonathan Taumateine and Danny Toala who have grown up in the Moana Pasifika environment. They know what it's about and feel a real big part of that."

The forward pack is spearheaded by 2024 Forward of the Year Lotu Inisi and Moana Man of the Year Sione Havili Talitui. It is further bolstered with the addition of Wallabies prop Pone Fa'amausili and the re-signings of Samuel Slade, Alamanda Motuga and Sione Mafileo.  

Front rower and Moana Pasifika foundation player Chris Apoua makes his return to the side.

In the backs, Marlborough's finest Kyren Taumoefolau lit up the Super Rugby stage last season and earned his chance to shine as a fully contracted player.  

The dynamic 21-year-old made his international debut for the 'Ikale Tahi even before his Super Rugby debut. He was selected for their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign and scored in Tonga's win over Romania.

"We want to play a style that suits us and represents who we are and where we come from. As a byproduct of that, we want to develop our young people to live good lives," Umaga said.

"We know we're in a competitive market here and we want to be competitive. We'll enjoy it with our Pacific way and making sure that culture is at the forefront of that."

MOANA PASIFIKA 2025 FULL SQUAD

FORWARDS

Abraham Pole - Lapaha, Fua’amotu (Tongatapu). Funga Fonua (‘Eua) & Ha’apai (Tonga)

Alamanda Motuga - Sataoa & Sa’anapu (Samoa)

Allan Craig* - Ahipara, New Zealand

Ardie Savea* - Siumu, Luatuanu’u, Falesiu-uta (Samoa)

Chris Apoua* - Salamumu & Fasito'o Uta (Samoa)

Irie Papuni - Kolomotu’a & Ha’ateiho (Tongatapu) (Tonga)

James Lay - Sasina & Safotu (Samoa)

Lotu Inisi - Longoteme (Tongatapu) & Fangale’ounga (Ha’apai) (Tonga). Falelatai (Samoa)

Michael Curry* -   Faatoia & Taufusi (Samoa)

Miracle Faiilagi - Vailele & Uafato (Samoa)

Ofa Tauatevalu - Pangaimotu (Vava’u) (Tonga)

Ola Tauelangi - Vaini (Tongatapu) (Tonga)

Pone Fa'amausili* -Malie & Vailoa Palauli (Samoa)

Samiuela Moli - Te’ekiu (Tongatapu) & Leimatu’a (Vava’u) (Tonga)

Samuel Slade - Sapunaoa, Vailoa & Palauli (Samoa)

Sama Malolo - Siusega & Salelologa (Samoa)

Semisi Paea - Falaleu (Vava’u), Houmakelikao (Tongatapu) (Tonga)

Sione Havili Talitui - Pangai, Nomuka (Ha’apai) Tofoa (Tongatapu) Niuafo’ou (Tonga)

Sione Mafileo* - Hofoa (Tongatapu) & Longomapu (Tonga)

Tomasi Maka - Longoteme & Holopeka (Ha’apai) (Tonga)

Tito Tuipulotu* - Togafuafua, Manono, Vaiee, Apolima, Satufia, Satupaʻitea (Samoa)

Tom Savage - Havering (England)

BACKS

Aisea Halo - Puke, Lakepa (Tonga Tapu), Leimatua, Ta’anea (Vava’u), Fatai, Koulo, Holopeka (Ha’apai) (Tonga)

Danny Toala - Faleasi’u & Lotofaga (Samoa)

Fine Inisi - Longoteme (Tongatapu) & Fangale’ounga (Ha’apai) (Tonga). Falelatai (Samoa)

Jackson Garden-Bachop* - Ngāti Awa, Moerai (Rurutu, French Polynesia), Turangi, Titikaveka and Ngatangiia (Rarotonga), Lalomanu(Samoa)

Jonathan Taumateine - Nofoali’i & Satapuala (Samoa)

Julian Savea - Siumu, Luatuanu’u & Falesiu Uta (Samoa)

Kyren Taumoefolau* - Tu`anekivale (Vava`u) & Ha'afeva  (Ha'apai) (Tonga)

Lalomilo Lalomilo - Falefa, Sinamoga, Safotu, Salailua (Samoa)

Losi Filipo* - Salemoa (Samoa)

Melani Matavao* - Fasito'o-Uta & Lauli'i (Samoa)

Neria Fomai - Lepuia’i Manono Tai & Magiagi (Samoa)

Patrick Pellegrini* - Tatakamotonga (Tonga)

Pepesana Patafilo - Magiagi & Vailima (Samoa)

Solomon Alaimalo* - Vaigaga, Apolima, Sa'anapu, Saasaai (Samoa)

Tuna Tuitama* - Mulifanua & Faleasiu (Samoa)

William Havili - Sopu, Kolomatu’a (Tonga)