It's a Miracle: Samoan loose forward picked by Moana Pasifika

Moana Pasifika has named its 39-strong team for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Among the squad are 26 players with international rugby experience for Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands, as well as two Wallabies.

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 event in Fiji.

Mauger said the combination of established international players and uncapped players make for a strong squad.

"There was a lot of untapped talent at the Combine and Miracle was one of several players that caught our eye.

"The way these young men responded to being in a professional environment for the first time was outstanding and we have rewarded another five players with pre-season training contracts."

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

Otago's Abraham Pole joined Moana Pasifika as a permanent injury replacement in 2022 and played in nine matches, scoring four tries.

Another addition to the squad is Manu Samoa first five-eighth D'Angelo Leuila.

Mauger was impressed with his NPC form for Waikato this year.

"D'Angelo spent some time with us last year and we set him some challenges around earning a full contract and he rose to the challenge with yet another outstanding NPC Season.

"He's an incredibly strong ball carrier, has a strong kicking game and sees space really well," said Mauger.

Moana Pasifika begin their Super Rugby Pacific campaign on Saturday, February 25, against the Fijian Drua.

Moana Pasifika DHL Super Rugby Pacific 2023 Squad

(Name, Moana Pasifika caps, village and/or iwi).

Forwards

Abraham Pole** (9) - Lapaha, Fua'amotu (Tongatapu) Funga Fonua ('Eua) & Ha'apai

Alamanda Motuga (8) - Sataoa & Sa'anapu (Samoa)

Alex McRobbie (11) - Avatele (Niue) & Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua (Aotearoa)

Chris Apoua (5) - Salamumu & Fasito'outa (Samoa)

Ezekiel Lindenmuth (13) - Manono, Vaimoso & Moto'otua (Samoa)

Isi Tu'ungafasi* - Kolofo'ou & Kanokupolu (Tongatapu) (Tonga)

Jack Lam (6) - Gataivai & Malie (Samoa)

Joe 'Apikotoa (11) - Fasi-moe-afi (Tongatapu) (Tonga).

Lotu Inisi (1) - Longoteme (Tongatapu) & Fangale'ounga (Ha'apai) (Tonga) & Falelatai (Samoa)

Luteru Tolai (8) - Gagaifo Lefaga (Samoa) & Titikaveka, Rarotonga & Aitutaki (Cook Islands)

Mahonri Ngakuru** (5) - Ngāpuhi

Michael Curry (8)** - Kaufusi, Fa'atoia & Vaoala (Samoa)

Mike McKee (2) - Titikaveka, Rarotonga (Cook Islands)

Miracle Fai'ilagi* - Vailele & Uafato (Samoa)

Penitoa Finau (4) - Leimatu'a, Falevai (Vava'u) Kanokupolu & Kolovai (Tongatapu) (Tonga)

Ray Niuia (8) - Saipipi & Sa'anapu (Samoa)

Samiuela Moli (11) - Te'ekiu (Tongatapu) & Leimatu'a (Vava'u) (Tonga)

Samuel Slade (9) - Sapunaoa, Vailoa & Palauli (Samoa)

Sekope Kepu (10) - Leimatu'a (Vava'u) & Niuafo'ou (Tonga)

Sione Tu'ipulotu (10) - Kolofo'ou, Talafo'ou, Longolongo (Tongatapu) O'ua (Ha'apai) (Tonga)

Solomone Funaki (10) - Fanga-'o-Pilolevu (Tongatapu) & Pangai (Ha'apai) (Tonga)

Taukiha'amea Koloamatangi (6) - Pea & Ha'avakatolo (Tongatapu) (Tonga)

Backs

Anzelo Tuitavuki (3) - Angaha ('Eua) Kolomotu'a, Falaleu (Vava'u) & Niuafo'ou (Tongatapu) (Tonga)

Christian Leali'ifano (11) - Magiagi, Letogo & Le'auva'a (Samoa)

D'Angelo Leuila (1)** - Gataivai & Fagali'i (Samoa) & Atahu (Tokelau)

Danny Toala (9) - Faleasi'u & Lotofaga (Samoa)

Ereatara Enari - Nofoali'i & Vaiala (Samoa) & Rongowhakaata & Te Aitanga A Māhaka (Aotearoa)

Fine Inisi (9) - Longoteme (Tongatapu) & Fangale'ounga (Ha'apai) (Tonga) & Falelatai (Samoa)

Henry Taefu (8) - Samatau & Falelatai (Samoa)

Jonathan Taumateine (10) - Nofoali'i & Satapuala (Samoa)

Levi Aumua (9) - Afega & Safa'atoa Lefaga (Samoa) & Tailevu (Fiji)

Lincoln McClutchie (12) - Ngāti Porou (Aotearoa)

Lolagi Visinia (4) - Afega & Safa'atoa Lefaga (Samoa)

Manu Paea (4) - Pelehake, Maufanga (Tongatapu) & Lotofoa (Ha'apai) (Tonga)

Neria Foma'i (5) - Lepuia'i Manono Tai & Magiagi (Samoa)

Tima Fainga'anuku (9) - Tongoleleka (Ha'apai), Tufuvai ('Eua), Taunga (Vava'u) & Niuatoputapu (Tonga)

Timoci Tavatavanawai (8) - Naikawaga, Namara & Tailevu (Fiji)

Tomasi Alosio (3) - Levi Saleimoa & Falefa (Samoa)

William Havili (11) - Sopu Kolomatu'a (Tonga)

* denotes uncapped player

** denotes first Super Rugby Contract

The following players will be joining Moana Pasifika from the World Rugby Pacific Combine on pre-season training contracts:

Joe Perez (Samoa)

Faletoi Peni (Samoa)

Semisi Paea (Tonga)

Frank Mafi (Tonga)

Alosio Moa (Tonga)