Sometimes in life, you have to get uncomfortable to get comfortable.
It’s a lesson that Moana Pasifika number eight Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa gravitates towards through his roles in the team.
A machine with his ball carries and bone crushing tackles, Semisi has been a regular in the starting lineup for Moana this season for his work ethic and not shying away from the hard and uncomfortable jobs during game time.
“To be honest I don’t really think about it during the game. If the boys want me to carry the ball and gain metres then I will step up and do it” Semisi said.
“I just try to do my job and see where the boys need me. I don’t think about it too much, i just the play the game the way I know”
And doing his job is exactly what he is doing. He currently leads the Super Rugby Pacific competition for most carries by one person this year. He is ahead with a 20+ difference from the next person in second place.
And Semisi is no stranger to being able to adapt to the uncomfortable.
Born and raised in Mangere Auckland, the 21 year old swapped the relaxed and laid back culture of his home for the cold Dunedin winter where he attended boarding school at Otago Boys High school.
It’s a move that Semisi pays tribute to his hardworking father, who saw it as an opportunity to send his son to a different environment in order to grow in both his sports and academic studies.
“It was definitely a culture clash when I went down there, but I enjoyed it. It was different but I know it definitely helped me being down there” he said
“My family is big and we all stay together, and I guess that was same inside the hostels where you become brothers with everyone
During his time at Otago Boys, it didn’t take long before he started to turn heads, becoming a standout player for their first fifteen rugby side helping them win in the South Island region.
He quickly became an upcoming rugby star which earned him a place in the NZ Under 19 squad in 2022. From there he was offered a contract for Otago Rugby Academy. But was later moved down to the Southland ITM side in Invercargill.
The move to Invercargill was another big shift for Semisi.
“I guess because I was already in Dunedin and had called it home for the past four years, going to Invercargill went smoothly. Everyone there (Invercargill) was helpful and the people were nice and rugby passionate”
During the ITM competition, he quickly showed once again his amazing rugby skills on field making him recognised in Invercargill. His performance was exceptional for the small club helping pull off some major upsets in the 2024 ITM tournament.
Despite all his efforts, Semisi still felt as if he was not getting recognised by any Super Rugby franchise.
Southland Stags coach Matt Saunders also noticed last year that Semisi was not getting the recognition he deserved.
“He has been one of our best all year consistently and I can’t recall him having a bad game,” Saunders said to the Southland Tribune last year.
“There has got to be some sort of Super Rugby involvement. Surely someone will have to have a look at him. Club rugby – he’s too good for it, without being rude to other players. I’ll be stunned if someone doesn’t look at him for a wider training group or something like that”
For Semisi, his main focus at the time was to do his best for Southland while juggling being away from his family back in Mangere.
“I just tried to put my best foot forward and not think about what was next. Obviously I was disappointed, but I was also hopeful. I just knew a door would open up for me and I was ready for it”
In late 2024, an opportunity came knocking for Semisi, when his agent let him know about a 4-6 week training contract Moana Pasifika had on offer for him.
While it did not guarantee him earn a place in the side, he impressed head coach Faalogo Tana Umaga and the Moana selectors to elevate him to a starting position for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition.
And it’s a decision that Moana doesn’t regret, as Semisi continues to go from strength to strength.
And while being at Moana Pasifika, he has been able to rub shoulders alongside captain Ardie Savea in the loose forward trio, who was a big idol for Semisi growing up
“I still get shocked about it every day. I will be just sitting across the other side of the room from him and I am thinking, holy, I used to watch this guy when I was 12-13 years old. And now im working alongside him”
“Moana means a lot for me, not only for our culture but also for the future generation. Moana is everything for me and I just hope to give them everything I can”
This weekend, Moana head to Pukekohe to play against the Brumbies. A home game for the side in which Semisi feels like is a full circle for him, as he is finally back home playing in front of his family in Auckland.
“This is the longest I have been home since I first made the move to Dunedin for school. It’s good for me but even better for my parents”.
