The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific squads were recently released, with some familiar faces returning and also some new signings added for some.
Here are some of your upcoming or new stars to keep an eye out for in next year’s season.
Moana Pasifika (Tuna Tuitama & Losi Filipo)
After being in the Moana system last year on a training-only contract, Samoa 7s and 15s speedster Tuna Tuitama has been rewarded with a contract next year.
A product of the local rugby pathway in Samoa, Tuitama first made his presence known as a high school athletics sprinter which then translated on to the rugby field.
It may be his first year on the Super Rugby stage, but Tuitama is no stranger to the big lights having represented Samoa at the highest level in both sevens and fifteens.
With his speed and ability to break tackles easily, Tuitama will hope to continue the success of Samoa local talent in the Moana jersey with the likes of Miracle Fai’ilagi and Melani Matavao.
Joining him in the outside backs is Losi Filipo who is coming off an impressive ITM Cup season with the Wellington Lions.
Like Tuitama, Filipo also has represented Samoa and has been a long standing powerhouse in the Wellington rugby scene.
Finding his way to the try line is second nature for Filipo, as his powerful running and linebreaks has caused him to be a nightmare for defenders.
Compared by many to the likes of a young Julian Savea, Filipo is someone who is set to make an impact next year for Moana Pasifika.
Crusaders (Xavier Saifoloi & Aki Tuivailala)
2025 will hope to be a fresh start for the Crusaders after failing to make this year’s playoffs stage.
Hoping to help them improve next year is the inclusion of the Waikato duo of Xavier Saifoloi and Aki Tuivailala.
Both players featured this year for Waikato in what was an impressive season from the side, clinching a top 4 spot overall.
Tuivailala featured heavily this year in the NZ Under 20s side, maintaining his spot in the midfield and featuring as one of the leaders of the side.
Moving to Waikato for ITM, he was shifted into the outside backs position proving to be a useful weapon for Waikato with his pace and talent to create space.
With his Waikato teammate Saifoloi also joining him next year in Christchurch, the duo are set to learn and soak in a lot of knowledge from one of Super Rugby’s most successful clubs in history.
Saifoloi made a name for himself this year bouldering his way over defenders and being a menace in the breakdown.
His physical presence itself makes him a visible presence on the field standing at 1.95m tall and weighing 114kgs.
The gentle giant will for sure be a danger next year in the Crusaders side playing alongside the likes of Ethan Blackadder and Christian Lio Willie.
He will definitely be one to look out for in the international stage in the future.
Blues (Xavi Taele)
Like Tuivailala, Xavi Taele is also a product of the junior systems of New Zealand rugby.
Touted as one of the best schoolboy rugby players in the country in recent years, Taele was a great asset to have in the midfield proving to be an exceptional defender and ball disttributor.
Lacing up next year for his fist Super Rugby season with the Blues, Taele will look to continue his efforts in the Blue jersey having starred and represented well for the side in their schoolboys team.
This year Taele also made a move to the wing for Auckland, meaning his involvement next year for the Blues makes him a great option for both positions.
Hurricanes (Fehi Fineanganofo)
A powerful and aggressive star for the NZ Sevens in last year’s World Series, Fehi Fineanganofo this time will make the switch over to the Hurricanes for next year’s season.
Fineanganofo was one of the many young talents that was discovered through the sevens system, usually starting in the forwards for NZ Sevens. This year he featured in the Bay of Plenty ITM side where they almost went close to winning the competition.
He made the position switch to the outside backs, impressing Hurricanes coaching staff with his natural and raw talent.
Coming from the sevens environment, it guarantees that Fineanganofoi is quite use to the physical nature of the game and has the fitness and engine to go along with it,
As the Hurricanes set to hopefully go a step further next year, Fineanganofo will also add his impact and skills to making sure they achieve that goal in 2025.
