Hurricanes sign rising star Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa

All Blacks

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Barnstorming All Blacks Number 8 and former Moana Pasifika star Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa has signed a two year deal with the Hurricanes

The 22-year-old wrecking ball from Mangere will help to fill a gap in the loose forwards following the departure of Devan Flanders at the end of the 'Canes Championship winning run in 2026.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent the Hurricanes,” Tupou Ta’eiloa said. “It’s exciting to be part of such a proud region and I can’t wait to get started. Malo.”

Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa was born and raised in South Auckland before moving south to attend Otago Boys’ High School where he first attracted widespread attention in 2020, with a spectacular long-range try that saw him shrug off nine defenders.

He represented New Zealand U19 on their 2022 tour of South Africa before making his NPC debut for Southland the following year. He has since recorded 27 appearances and six tries for the Stags.

His performances for Southland earned him a move back to Auckland, where he joined Moana Pasifika for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. He made an immediate impact, leading the competition with 205 carries and claiming the club’s Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Across two seasons with Moana Pasifika, Tupou Ta’eiloa scored 11 tries in 25 appearances and became the first player to make his All Blacks debut while representing the club.

That debut came against the Sharks in South Africa in August, before a second appearance against the Lions. He will join more than a dozen other players with All Blacks experience in the Hurricanes’ 2027 squad.

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw believes the powerful loose forward has plenty more to offer.

“It’s great that Semisi is joining us on a two-year deal. He’s got a lot of potential having already played for a couple of years in Super Rugby Pacific,” Laidlaw said.

“The first time I saw him play was when he was in South Africa with the New Zealand U19 side three or four years ago. His destructive power both in the tackle and in the ball-carry was obvious.

“To be selected by the All Blacks to go to South Africa this year shows what potential he’s got. We really look forward to working with him and helping him fulfil that potential over the next few years. He’s only 22 and his game is going to develop and grow.

“He's someone who has already played Super Rugby at such a high level and played so well at such a young age and will complement the guys we’ve already got.

“It's hugely exciting to have him here for pre-season to start growing his game and getting him to understand how we want to play the game, and we can’t wait to welcome him to the club.”

Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa Key Stats

Date of birth: 25 November 2003 (22)
Place of birth: Auckland
Villages: Leimatua, Vavau; Koulo, Ha’apai (Tonga)
Position: Loose forward
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 113kg
Club Team: Star Rugby Club (Invercargill)
School First XV: Otago Boys’ High School
Professional playing career: Southland (28 appearances, 2023–present), Moana Pasifika (25 appearances, 2025–2026), All Blacks (2 games, 2026–present)