Crusaders hooker Ioane Moananu thriving in Super Rugby Pacific move
Crusaders hooker Ioane Moananu admits being unwanted by other Super Rugby Pacific franchises has fuelled his form, as he plays and trains "with a chip on the shoulder" - but he still has time for a chuckle.
The 24-year-old rake has been a standout performer of this year's competition, taking his opportunity for consistent game time with both hands.
The realities of international travel have taken some getting used to, much to his amusement.
Earlier this week, he joked with fellow squad members at training, reminding them to "have their boots clean", before flying out for their pivotal clash against the Brumbies in Canberra.
Speaking to RNZ, Moananu recounted a run-in with airport staff on the eve of their Sydney clash with the Waratahs, because he and a few others had dirty boots.
"Couple of us got stopped by Customs and had to go through a whole clean-out of boots," he said. "Got a boot cleanse, which was pretty good.
Ioane Moananu celebrates a try against Western Force.
Photo:
© Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
"I had a whole patch of mud in my boot bag and got grilled for it. Got a [team] fine as well."
After only five appearances for the Crusaders across the previous two campaigns, Moananu has played 12 games this year, starting six of them. During pre-season, he was considered only the fourth-choice hooker behind Codie Taylor, George Bell and Brodie McAlister.
His prospects improved, when McAlister headed north to the Chiefs. Injuries to All Blacks Taylor and Bell, as well as the former's enforced rest weeks, have opened up an elevated role for Moananu this season.
His dynamic performances have seen him collect five tries in 2025, including a double in a standout display against the Hurricanes at Wellington's Sky Stadium in Round 9.
Born and raised in Ōtara, Moananu came through the ranks in South Auckland, where he attended De La Salle College and played his club rugby for Manurewa.
He was later picked up by the Counties Manukau Rugby Academy, before making his NPC debut for the Steelers in 2022. Then, the Crusaders came knocking.
"I got the call to come to Christchurch and do a pre-season, and they enjoyed the way I play," he said, "Now they've kept me on for three years - it's gone by so fast."
Although the traditional Auckland-Canterbury rugby rivalry did cross his mind, before making the move south, he relished the new environment. He chuckled about being an Aucklander "growing up to hate Canterbury".
Ioane Moananu: "Canterbury's home for me now."
Photo:
RNZ / Nate McKinnon
"I've got friends here for life now, with boys I never thought I'd be friends with. Now, they're like my brothers.
"What they always say, when you come down here, you never want to leave and that's happened to me. Canterbury's home for me now."
Always brimming with talent, he creditted Crusaders forwards coach Dan Perrin for developing his game further, particularly around his core roles.
The hooker has benefited from the Crusaders set-piece mentality, with most of his tries resulting from him peeling off the back of unrelenting lineout mauls.
As the Crusaders make another push for a Super Rugby title, Moananu admitted being part of a championship-winning team would be vindicating.
"It would mean the world, especially not being wanted up north," he said. "There's always that chip on my shoulder, like none of my home teams wanted me and I always took that personally.
"Always have that in the back of my mind, like an edge that I have."
His impressive performances have been noted by pundits and Moananu is a potential All Black bolter, when coach Scott Robertson names his first squad of the year next month.
Asked if test rugby was an ambition, Moananu replied: "One thousand percent,
"It's definitely [a dream of mine]. I've heard the chat, but I try not to listen too much to it.
"I just keep doing what I can over here and do what I can for my team."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
6 hours ago
- RNZ News
ANZ Premiership live updates: Pulse v Mystics
Mystics goal attack Dani Binks, left, lines up a shot under challenge from Pulse captain Kelly Jackson during the ANZ Premiership Grand Final. Photo: Marty Melville/Photosport The Pulse and Mystics are both gunning for outright top spot this weekend, as they are locked in a three way tie with the Tactix. Play starts at 7pm. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog:
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- RNZ News
From fine dining to feeding youth in need
Ashlee Savea prepares lunch at the residence. Each teen has a $20 a day budget. Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham A set of keys jangling from her pocket to get through the thick, secure doors is a reminder of one Palmerston North chef's job change. After 17 years in fine dining, hotel, and large catering jobs, three years ago, Ashlee Savea took the helm of the kitchen at the city's Oranga Tamariki youth justice facility, Te Au rere a te Tonga. Ashlee Savea has swapped fine dining for working in a youth justice facility. Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham Savea swapped preparing gourmet creations for paying customers with feeding youth offenders on a $20-a-day per-head budget. Up to 30 young people, aged 12-17, are onsite. "We serve ham and cheese sandwiches, beef tacos. We did a chicken karaage. The kids were like, What's this? We try to do some ethnic foods. We've done sushi, burgers," she said. "I develop the menu myself. I take inspiration a lot from my daughter. She's 9." The budget brought constraints - "I'm not going to order a slab of salmon" - and there was plenty of trial and error. Youth justice residents also had a chance to give feedback on what appealed and what didn't. The 34-year-old said she sometimes went into "mum mode" to remind the teens at Te Au rere a te Tonga to eat their greens and fruit - part of the vocational aspect of the job that appealed to Savea. Te Au rere a te Tonga, the youth justice residence in Palmerston North, can house up to 30 teens. Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham Also appealing were the daytime hours, after a working life of weekends and evenings, which was hard on her family. She said changing jobs to work at a youth justice facility attracted its share of sideways glances, but she didn't have regrets. "Everyone has opinions about this place. At the end of the day, these are kids. They still need love... Some of them didn't even get fed at home, so this is really great for them," Savea said. "I've never second-guessed my safety or anything here." Sometimes there was an emotional toll. "You definitely hear stories about where these young people have come from, which is really hard to hear. Some of them have come from nothing. They're fending for themselves." Savea had three staff members, as well as casuals, working under her. When RNZ visited the industrial-looking kitchen, a bacon and egg Turkish pocket was on the lunch menu, ahead of southern-style fried chicken for dinner. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
Flying Fijians turn up tempo as Fiji teams dominate Oceania rugby meets
Fijiana player Biutoka Kacimaiwai on the attack against Tonga at the Oceania Women's Rugby Championship game, at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka on Friday. Photo: Kirk Corrie/Oceania Rugby The Fijians have dominated in two Oceania rugby tournaments they competed in at the weekend. In the Oceania Under-20 Rugby Challenge, the Fiji under-20s team retained their title for another year when they swept through the event undefeated. Having recorded earlier wins against both Tonga and Canada in the past seven days, the junior Flying Fijians turned up the tempo once again to beat Samoa 48-16 in the final game of the challenge series in Nadi on Saturday afternoon. That came at the back of an impressive victory by the Fijiana women's team, over Tonga, in the opening match of the Oceania Women's Rugby Championship on Friday. Fijiana, Fiji's national women's rugby team, proved too strong for Tonga 59-15 in Sigatoka in their opening game. In another strong display, the junior Flying Fijians proved too strong for the junior Manu Samoa team to win the final match of the challenge series. Ratu Aporosa Lalabalavu led the onslaught with a hat-trick at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Saturday afternoon. The strong and fast winger led Fiji's dominant attacking display, crossing the line three times. The hosts led 17-8 at halftime, with tries coming from Lalabalavu, Marika Koroi and Ratu Apenisa Naevo. Members of the Fiji Under-20s men's team singing the Fijian national anthem at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Saturday, before their game against Samoa Under-20. Photo: Oceania Rugby There were further tries from Lalabalavu, who claimed two more, Bogidrau Kikau, Isoa Koroinawai and a penalty try that was awarded to the team. Samoa responded with tries to Peneli Opetai and Josh Fuimaono, while winger Christian Lealofi added six points through the boot. In an earlier game on Saturday, the Canadian team overpowered Tonga 50-27. The Canadians kept the Tongans under pressure throughout the game, with Daniel Lucic scoring a double. Other tries were scored by Angus Dewar, Morgan Di Nardo, Coen Quinn, Kohl Kletke, Josh Du Toit, plus a penalty try. Tonga also scored five tries through a double from Sinaipa Langi, plus one each from Sione Valevale, Siua Vaitai, and Tiseni Afu. On Friday afternoon, the Fijiana side started their defence of the Oceania title with a well-earned win over the Tongans at Lawaqa Park. For their part, the Fijians showed their dominance, running in a total of 11 tries. It was a display the Fijians were proud of, with captain Alfreda Fisher stating after the game it was good to have a win in the opening match but hinted they still could have played better. "It's an honour to represent Fiji in front of our fans," she said. "Thank you to the Tongan team for the good match. We maintained discipline and the girls gave their best today. "While there were a few things we could improve on, we'll take lessons from this and work hard ahead of the next game." Fijiana's Rusila Nagasau has a run against the Tongans at the Oceania Women's Rugby Championship game. Photo: Kirk Corrie/Oceania Rugby Tonga's Lofa XV showed a lot of promise, featuring majority of locally-based players. Captain Tonga Tuiaki said she was proud of the players, most of whom made their debut for the Friendly Islanders. "The game was physical at first, but we're just proud of the girls and appreciate the chance to play against Fiji," she said. "I am proud of all the girls. Most are locals and it was an honor to represent our families and country. We'll work on our physicality and are looking forward to our next match against Samoa." The second round of the tournament will take place on Tuesday, with the Lofa XV taking on Manusina XV of Samoa. The Vodafone Fijiana made a powerful statement in their opening match of the Oceania Women's Rugby XV Championship, overwhelming Tonga 54-5 in a dominant display at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Fijiana debutant Litiana Vueti was among the scorers, marking her first cap with a memorable try, while Loraini Senivutu bagged a double, along with Josivini Naihamu, who also claimed two tries. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
