Pasifika SR team

[KiwiMurph]

Toala certainly seemed/seems to get very few chances at the Canes. I wouldn't be surprised if he's looking elsewhere - since debuting at the end of 2019 he's barely played the last two seasons.

[Stargazer]

@kiwimurph Yeah, even with the talent that the Canes had in their squad, it just didn't make sense that he didn't get more opportunities. That one game against the Blues in which he played next to PU-J was great. Why they didn't try that more often (even with Toala coming off the bench) is beyond me. Toala and PU-J looked like they could potentially be a lethal combo. Now even PU-J doesn't get many starts anymore. The mysteries of Hurricanes' selections ...

Toala has been good for the Bay, this season. I hope he gets another shot at Super Rugby.

[Nogusta]

@stargazer hes always had a rep as being a bit of a tool through school and appears to have carried that through to the pro ranks. That might have something to do with it. All the talent in the world but not quite the mental fortitude...yet.

[Chris]

[link text](link url)https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/126648169/super-rugby-pacific-moana-pasifika-land-marquee-signing-in-former-wallabies-playmaker-christian-lealiifano

[mikey07]

@chris Very good signing can’t wait to see who else they have.

[Steven Harris]

@mikey07
Sekope Kefu
Christian leliiafano
Henry Stowers
Solomone Funaki
Sione Tuipulotu
Eri Enari
Lolagi Visnia
Lincoln McClutchie
Alamanda Motuga

[Chris]

@steven-harris said in Pasifika SR team:

@mikey07
Sekope Kefu
Christian leliiafano
Henry Stowers
Solomone Funaki
Sione Tuipulotu
Eri Enari
Lolagi Visnia
Lincoln McClutchie
Alamanda Motuga

That’s a good start with those signings.

[Bovidae]

Sefo Kautai would be a good pickup if he isn't signed with the Brumbies or going back to Japan.

I wonder if Jack Lam has been approached as he has finished with NEC?

[BerhamporeNinja]

@steven-harris heard a rumour they signed Ray Niua? and couple others from manawatu, including Tietie Tuimauga but he decided to take off to Connacht

[BerhamporeNinja]

@steven-harris some great talent right there!

[Steven Harris]

@berhamporeninja

The Niua signing would make sense
Here’s an updated list

What I have managed to dig up so far

Moana Pacifika

Sekope Kefu
Christian leliiafano
Henry Stowers
Solomone Funaki
Sione Tuipulotu
Eri Enari
Lolagi Visnia
Lincoln McClutchie
Alamanda Motuga
Jordon Lay
Jack Lam
Mike McKee

[Nepia]

I wonder if McClutchie is PI qualified of if he's one of their non PI players?

[Steven Harris]

@nepia good question , i would imagine Mike Mckee comes into that category as well, is a counties manukau boy , mum is a Cook Islander .

[Nepia]

@steven-harris said in Pasifika SR team:

@nepia good question , i would imagine Mike Mckee comes into that category as well, is a counties manukau boy , mum is a Cook Islander .

So the team can pick up any islanders, not just Samoa and Tonga? But I assume not Fijians?

[Steven Harris]

@nepia have heard a few from a source that Timoci Tavatavanawai has been signed by MP..that woukd be a huge signing a great for Fijian Rugby , thought the Drua might have been a better fit , but a very good snare for MP

[Bovidae]

What about Jonathan Taumateine? Maybe he has been re-signed with the Canes after Roigard's injury and Campbell rumoured to be going to France.

[Steven Harris]

@bovidae mate i am exhausting all my sources ..some of the names i have heard are pie in the sky stuff, some i have cross referenced and have got the the thumbs up on .
Heard Neria Fomai name bandied around as well, just no confirmation
MP will bevdrip feeding names over the next few days

[Bovidae]

@steven-harris If we were guessing, some of the older Samoan and Tongan players that have returned from overseas this year would be good options. That's why I suggested Lam. Nasi Manu would be another veteran who would add value.

[Kiwiwomble]

@bovidae definitely, nasi looked really good for Otago in the NPC last year, still had a lot to add and a great leader and obviously played for MP last year

[Stargazer]

@steven-harris said in Pasifika SR team:

@bovidae mate i am exhausting all my sources ..some of the names i have heard are pie in the sky stuff, some i have cross referenced and have got the the thumbs up on .
Heard Neria Fomai name bandied around as well, just no confirmation
MP will bevdrip feeding names over the next few days

Should call them Moana Pasifika Bay!