Augustine Pulu to Make Moana Pasifika Debut against his Former Team Chiefs
2026-03-04 - 03:47
Source: Moana Pasifika. Augustine Pulu will make his highly-anticipated debut for Moana Pasifika, when they kick off DHL Super Rugby Pacific Club Rugby Round, against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night. The former All Black halfback earns a start in the number nine jersey after recovering from a calf injury. It will mark his first Super Rugby Pacific game since 2018, after returning from Japan where he played six seasons for the Hino Red Dolphins. It adds another chapter to a remarkable career which started at the Chiefs where he was part of their championship-winning team in 2013. He also played for the All Blacks Sevens side at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and captained the Blues in 2018. Joining Pulu in the backs is Canterbury’s Tevita Latu who earns his first start at centre while Tevita Ofa moves back to the right wing. Glen Vaihu also rejoins the team at fullback. Augustine Pulu will play his former team the Chiefs in his Moana Pasifika Debut. Photo Credit: Sky Sports Captain Miracle Faiilagi will continue to lead from the front. He has made 15 carries within the first 20 minutes of games this Super Rugby Pacific season, which is at least three more than any other player. Faiilagi is currently third in Super Rugby Pacific Player Of The Year votes. Head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga says: “The Chiefs always bring a great challenge and we know that we need to be accurate and come out strong from the start. As a team we’re focused on trusting what we can do and going out there and executing our game plan.” Two exciting prospects, Joel Lam (halfback) and Tyler Pulini (first five) have the chance to make their debut off the bench. Lam is from Christchurch and attended St Andrew’s College. He played for Canterbury and made a sole appearance for the Crusaders in 2023. Last year, he made the switch to rugby league and played for the Hornby Panthers before joining Brisbane club Souths Logan Magpies. He returned to union in June when he was named to play in Manu Samoa’s squad for the Pacific Nations Cup. Lam made his international debut against Tonga in Nuku’alofa, proudly representing his late grandfather who was born in Samoa. Pulini came through the Moana Pasifika Under 20s team, playing for the side in 2024 and 2025. The former Westlake Boys High School student has also represented the ‘Ikale Tahi. The 20-year-old joined Moana Pasifika for pre-season training in October and has impressed coaches, showing a great work ethic and hunger to earn his first selection. Unavailable due to injury: Tito Tuipulotu (shoulder), Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou (neck), Jimmy Tupou (calf), Tupou Afungia (concussion), Konrad Toleafoa (neck), Jonathan Taumateine (knee), Melani Matavao (calf), Julian Savea (groin), Lalomilo Lalomilo (concussion), Israel Leota (ankle), William Havili (neck).