Ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season the Pacific Island teams have been busy securing their squads. Here is a summary of the latest player signatures.
Moana Pasifika – IN/Resigned
Moana Pasifika is thrilled to announce the signing of former All Black midfielder Ngani Laumape [pictured] for the 2026 and 2027 Super Rugby Pacific seasons. The 32-year-old is fresh off three seasons with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in the Japan Rugby League One Competition, where he played alongside Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea. Laumape’s arrival bolsters the 2026 Moana Pasifika squad, with 30 of the 38 roster spots now locked in.
One of the heroes of Moana Pasifika’s breakout season in 2025, Miracle Faiilagi, has re-signed for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season. Faiilagi returns for his fourth season with the club, after becoming the first Samoan to be recruited directly from the Pacific Islands into a Super Rugby team, making his debut in 2023. The 25-year-old has become a pivotal figure for Moana Pasifika especially in 2025 where he had a standout campaign, earning him Attacking Player of the Year alongside Kyren Taumoefolau.
Moana Pasifika’s inspirational lock Tom Savage has signed for the 2026 and 2027 Super Rugby Pacific seasons. In 2025 he was the only Moana Pasifika player to take the field in all 14 games, playing for a total of 809 minutes and showing his incredible endurance. Hailing from Havering in England, Savage is a juggernaut on the field with his ability to dominate opponents with his robust build, devastating hits and hunger to win possession.
Electrifying back Tevita Ofa has locked in his future with Moana Pasifika for the 2026 and 2027 DHL Super Rugby Pacific seasons. Since joining Moana Pasifika on a full-time contract for the 2025 season and making his debut against the Highlanders in round three, he has gone from strength to strength. An attacking weapon on the field, Ofa has impressed with his versatility, blistering pace and quick footwork picking the opposition defence apart.
A promising young talent who starred in Moana Pasifika’s 2025 campaign, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou has signed for the 2026 and 2027 Super Rugby Pacific seasons. The 23-year-old barnstorming prop joined Moana Pasifika as a development player at the end of 2024, coming through the Manawatū Academy and making his debut for the Turbos in 2023.
Moana Pasifika rookie of the year, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa has signed for the 2026 and 2027 Super Rugby Pacific seasons. The 21-year-old loose forward had a breakout 2025 campaign, leading the competition in carries (205) after joining Moana Pasifika on a training contract, which led him to becoming a replacement player and a regular on the starting lineup.
Moana Pasifika’s most-capped player, William Havili has re-signed for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season. The 26-year-old returns for his fifth campaign with the club and with 49 appearances to his name, is set for his 50th match milestone next year. Havili excelled this year as the primary fullback, showcasing his ability to make swift decisions under pressure and his strong defensive skills while creating opportunities for his team.
Moana Pasifika – OUT
Ardie Savea has announced he will return to Moana Pasifika in 2027 after a one-year stint with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in 2026. The 31-year-old is exercising a sabbatical clause which was included in his contract with New Zealand Rugby when he re-signed with the governing body last year.
Rising star Kyren Taumoefolau will link up with the Chiefs on a two-year contract starting in 2026. The 22-year-old has already established himself as one of the most exciting young players in Super Rugby Pacific. Since making his debut with Moana Pasifika in 2024, he has made 21 appearances and scored 12 tries.
Fijian Drua – IN/Resigned
One of the world’s most exciting rugby 7s stars, Joji Nasova, is headed to Super Rugby Pacific with the Fijian Drua in 2026. The Paris Olympics Silver Medallist has penned a two-year deal with the Drua and will bring his explosive speed and powerful running style to Super Rugby Pacific. Nasova finished the World Sevens Series on a high after being selected in the 2025 HSBC SVNS Men’s Dream Team and was the joint-top try scorer in the competition with 26 tries. The 24-year-old made his debut for the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s in the 2023/2024 season at the Hong Kong 7s.
The Fijian Drua has bolstered its halfback stocks for the upcoming season with the signing of former Wallaby Issak Fines-Leleiwasa from the Western Force. Fines-Leleiwasa has declared his intentions to play for Fiji, with his three- year international stand-down period concluding in October 2026. The 29-year-old will bring valuable experience to the Fijian Drua, having played 56 Super Rugby Pacific matches – 45 for the Western Force and 11 for the ACT Brumbies.
Explosive winger and former Flying Fijian Manasa Mataele will return home for his 10th season in Super Rugby Pacific season in 2026, this time in Fijian Drua colours. Originally from Vanuavatu, Mataele grew up in Raiwai, Suva attending Marist Brothers High School. He has strong roots in Fijian rugby, playing for Marist Brothers in the Deans and being a part of the Fiji U18 team in 2015. The 28-year-old has made 58 Super Rugby Pacific appearances (32 for the Crusaders, 24 with the Western Force and 2 with the Chiefs).
Fijian Drua 2025 Player of the year Isoa Nasilasila has put pen to paper, signing a contract extension to remain with the Club for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season. The popular lock and fan favourite has made 50 appearances for the Fijian Drua – one of only two players in history to do so. Nasilasila has become one of Super Rugby Pacific’s most consistent performers since 2022, playing in all but 8 matches of the Fijian Drua.
The Fijian Drua continues to bolster its squad for the new season, with the signing of powerhouse lock Angelo Smith. Smith, a former Marist Brothers High School (Suva) and Saint Thomas Secondary School (Lautoka) student, joins the Drua after previously appearing for the Melbourne Rebels. Powerful on both attack and defence, Smith brings with him the utility value of also playing at blindside flanker. He has signed a two-year deal with the Fijian Drua.
One of the Fijian rugby’s leading lights Motikiai Murray has penned a deal extension with the Fijian Drua. The decision continues a remarkable story for the talented flanker, who has come through the local Fijian pathways through Schools rugby with Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS), Fiji Under 20s, the Fijian Drua development programme and now as a key member of the Drua main squad.
The Fijian Drua has confirmed the signing of Flying Fijian and Northampton Saints lock Temo Mayanavanua on a two-year contract. Mayanavanua will join the Club after the completion of his national duties and will feature for the Fijian Drua in the 2026 season.
The former Suva Grammar School student joined the Saints after the 2023 World Cup and has gone on to make 35 appearances to date, scoring one try. Prior to that, the 27-year-old played for Northland in New Zealand for 3 years before joining Lyon in France. The powerful second rower made his debut for the Flying Fijians in 2020 against Georgia, and he has made 25 appearances since.
Hookers Mesulame Dolokoto and Zuriel Togiatama have recommitted to the Fijian Drua.
Dolokoto has extended his stay for the next two seasons, while Togiatama is locked in for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.