Crusaders hooker Ioane Moananu admits being unwanted by other Super Rugby Pacific franchises has fuelled his form, as he plays and trains "with a chip on the shoulder" .
The 24-year-old rake has been a standout performer of this year's competition, taking his opportunity for consistent game time with both hands.
The realities of international travel have taken some getting used to, much to his amusement.
Earlier this week, he joked with fellow squad members at training, reminding them to "have their boots clean", before flying out for their pivotal clash against the Brumbies in Canberra.
Speaking to RNZ, Moananu recounted a run-in with airport staff on the eve of their Sydney clash with the Waratahs, because he and a few others had dirty boots.
"Couple of us got stopped by Customs and had to go through a whole clean-out of boots," he said. "Got a boot cleanse, which was pretty good.
Ioane Moananu celebrates a try against Western Force. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
"I had a whole patch of mud in my boot bag and got grilled for it. Got a [team] fine as well."
After only five appearances for the Crusaders across the previous two campaigns, Moananu has played 12 games this year, starting six of them. During pre-season, he was considered only the fourth-choice hooker behind Codie Taylor, George Bell and Brodie McAlister.
His prospects improved, when McAlister headed north to the Chiefs. Injuries to All Blacks Taylor and Bell, as well as the former's enforced rest weeks, have opened up an elevated role for Moananu this season.
His dynamic performances have seen him collect five tries in 2025, including a double in a standout display against the Hurricanes at Wellington's Sky Stadium in Round 9.
Born and raised in Ōtara, Moananu came through the ranks in South Auckland, where he attended De La Salle College and played his club rugby for Manurewa.
He was later picked up by the Counties Manukau Rugby Academy, before making his NPC debut for the Steelers in 2022. Then, the Crusaders came knocking.
"I got the call to come to Christchurch and do a pre-season, and they enjoyed the way I play," he said, "Now they've kept me on for three years - it's gone by so fast."
Although the traditional Auckland-Canterbury rugby rivalry did cross his mind, before making the move south, he relished the new environment. He chuckled about being an Aucklander "growing up to hate Canterbury".
Ioane Moananu: "Canterbury's home for me now." Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
"I've got friends here for life now, with boys I never thought I'd be friends with. Now, they're like my brothers.
"What they always say, when you come down here, you never want to leave and that's happened to me. Canterbury's home for me now."
Always brimming with talent, he creditted Crusaders forwards coach Dan Perrin for developing his game further, particularly around his core roles.
The hooker has benefited from the Crusaders set-piece mentality, with most of his tries resulting from him peeling off the back of unrelenting lineout mauls.
As the Crusaders make another push for a Super Rugby title, Moananu admitted being part of a championship-winning team would be vindicating.
"It would mean the world, especially not being wanted up north," he said. "There's always that chip on my shoulder, like none of my home teams wanted me and I always took that personally.
"Always have that in the back of my mind, like an edge that I have."
His impressive performances have been noted by pundits and Moananu is a potential All Black bolter, when coach Scott Robertson names his first squad of the year next month.
Asked if test rugby was an ambition, Moananu replied: "One thousand percent,
"It's definitely [a dream of mine]. I've heard the chat, but I try not to listen too much to it.
"I just keep doing what I can over here and do what I can for my team."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
