Former Wallaby Pone Fa’amausili is off to Auckland for next year’s Super Rugby Pacific season.
The former Melbourne Rebel prop will play one season for the Auckland-based Moana Pasifika side.
The 27-year-old Melbourne-born Samoan says he is excited to be playing for the team, which largely fields players of Saman and Tongan descent.
“I’m extremely excited at the opportunity ahead with Moana Pasifika, to be able to share my knowledge and experiences and also learn from a talented group of men,” he said in a Rugby Australia statement.
Pone Fa’amausili. Picture: Rugby Australia
“Being able to learn from a coach like Tana (Umaga) is really exciting for myself,’’ he says; former All Black Umaga is head coach of Moana Pasifika.
“Joining a team like Moana allows me to connect with my culture and represent my people which is really important and will be special to do so for my family,” Fa’amausili says.
He will be playing alongside All Blacks superstar Ardie Savea at the club.
“Pone is a powerful player who brings physicality and experience,” Umaga says.
“He further strengthens our pack and we’re excited to have him on our side in 2025.”
The prop found himself with limited game time this season after the arrival of Taniela Tupou and Sam Talakai at the Rebels.
The Rebels were subsequently cut by Rugby Australia which prompted a redraw of the 2025 Super Rugby fixtures.
During the 2024 season, Fa’amausili made a sudden (loan) move to the NSW Waratahs in Round 12 as the Waratahs grappled with a horrendous run of injuries among its front-rowers.
He returned to the Rebels the week for what would prove to be his lone game for the Rebels.
Fa’amausili has played seven tests for Australia, including two games at the 2023 Rugby World Cup against Wales and Fiji.
He steps in for fellow Wallaby prop Sekope Kepu who retired at the end of the 2024 Super season.
