Pacific Rugby Players

🏉 Join the Pacific Rugby Players team!

Are you passionate about empowering Pasefika athletes and making a real difference beyond the game?

We're looking for a Personal Development Manager,Samoa to support emerging players, academy athletes and national representatives as they navigate life on and off the field.

This is more than a rugby role, it's an opportunity to mentor, educate and walk alongside players as they build successful futures in rugby and beyond.

If you have experience in education, counselling, social work, player welfare or mentoring and are fluent in Samoan, we'd love to hear from you.

📍 Based in Samoa
📅 Applications close: 11 August, 5.00pm NZT

📧 Send your CV and cover letter to: [email protected]

Learn more:
🌐 www.pacificrugbyplayers.com/current-vacancies

Last Thursday at Eden Park, the 2026 Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame brought together legends who defined an era. The night brought together past, present, and future icons from across Pasifika Rugby.

Congratulations to all inductees and all those who were recognised with awards. Nights like this are so important to celebrate Pasifika success with legends being recognised, culture being honoured, and the next generation being inspired. 🌴✨

📷: PasifikaHOF

Moana Pasifika are set to face the Chiefs this Friday at FMG Stadium, still searching for their first win of the 2026 campaign

Frank Lomani is the Player of the week for last weekends games!

Frank had a superb game in an upset win against the Hurricanes that saw him also shift to the wing. His defensive effort in the last 20 minutes on the wing helped seal the deal for the Drua's first win of the 2026 campaign 🔥

Temo Mayanavanua and Miracle Faiʻilagi are your Pasifika Players of the Week!

Both had Captain knocks in what was another end-to-end game in the Battle of the Pacific. Miracle announced himself on the big stage with a hat-trick in Moana’s win over the Drua 40-26, whilst Temo also bagged a meat pie on debut for the Drua.

These two are set for a big season ahead 🔥🌴

The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign kicks off this weekend with a blockbuster Pacific derby, as Fijian Drua host Moana Pasifika at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday.

The match is set to be the fifth season of rivalry between the two Pasifika franchises, with their head-to-head record now perfectly balanced heading into this crucial encounter 🔥

22 more days until Round 1 💪🏾

Some great insight on Moana Pasifika’s new captain, the Miracle Man.

“When Ardie Savea announced he would miss the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with Moana Pasifika for a sabbatical in Japan at the Kobelco Kobe Steelers, Tana Umaga was in search of a new inspirational leader.

Look no further than Hawke’s Bay’s Miracle Faiilagi, who has played 30 times for Moana Pasifika and four Tests for Manu Samoa.

“Faiilagi was brought up in Vailele and Uafato in Samoa, before playing for Vailele Rugby Club, Samoa Sevens and the Taula Eels in the lead up to being scouted by Moana Pasifika coaches at the now defunct World Rugby Pacific Combine in Suva in 2022.

“Being named captain for the same franchise that gave him his Super Rugby Pacific debut is a massive moment for the 26-year-old, following on from Savea, who captained the team proudly in 2025.

For the barnstorming loose-forward, he told media in Auckland on Tuesday afternoon that it’s a huge moment for him and his family.

“It’s a huge step up for me, it’s really a special moment for me and my family,” Faiilagi said.

The 26-year-old was born in Samoa, and his parents named him Miracle because of the family situation during birth, where his father was in surgery at the same time.

“Long story short, it’s kind of a miracle in my family. My mum was giving birth at the same time my dad had a surgery, so when I was born, my dad finished his surgery as well,” the new captain said to media in Auckland on Tuesday.

Read the full article here: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/new-moana-pasifika-captain-on-background-story-and-first-name/

🖊️: Henry Lee

Tickets are on sale for the historic Battle of Fiji between the Fijian Drua and the Skipper XV Select on Friday 6 February at Churchill Park, Lautoka, kicking off at 4pm (FJT).

The match will be played for the Sun Bell Trophy as part of the Drua’s pre-season ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Get down and support the teams 🇫🇯

Introducing Louena Tupa — Our New PDM for Japan! 🇯🇵🇹🇴

We’re thrilled to welcome Louena Tupa to the Pacific Rugby Players team.
Proudly Tongan, Louena brings years of lived experience from supporting her husband’s professional rugby career. She understands first-hand the challenges Pacific players face in Japan, including cultural differences, financial decisions, contract renewals, and preparing for life after rugby.

Louena is passionate about helping players build strong support systems, stay grounded in their identity, and succeed both on and off the field. She aims to create community meetups, offer practical guidance, and support players in their long-term planning.

Her message for players: “You’re not alone. We’re here to help you succeed.”

Welcome to the team, Louena!