The phone call that sparked a breakout star's rapid rise
“To be honest, I didn’t take [the Highlanders omission] to heart. I was just hopeful a door would open up. I was staying hungry and training, and I knew if a door did open up, I would be ready."
Southland’s Semisi Tupou Tae’iloa has emerged as one of the storylines of the 2025 Super season. He has gone from a tackle bag holder in preseason to a Moana Pasifika star. The Tribune’s Logan Savory chatted with the young No 8 about his rapid rise.
Semisi Tupou Tae’iloa remembers the phone call well.
The 2024 NPC season had wrapped up, and despite a breakout campaign with the Southland Stags, there was no sign of any Super Rugby interest for Tupou Tae’iloa.
“We were waiting for the ‘Landers, but I didn’t get anything,” Tupou Tae’iloa said.
He was in the midst of a workout at Snap Fitness in Invercargill when Stags coach Matt Saunders called with another idea. An idea that would change Tupou Tae’iloa’s rugby journey dramatically.
“Matt rung me saying he was trying to get me an opportunity for a couple of training weeks with Moana up here [in Auckland]. He said for me not to get my hopes up, but he was trying to sort it out.”
The next day Tupou Tae’iloa’s agent called, saying the training opportunity had been confirmed.
The initial plan was for the young No 8 to spend four to six weeks with Moana Pasifika, before he returned to Invercargill to play for Star in Southland’s premier club rugby competition.
Although Saunders had a feeling the plan would change when Moana Pasifika’s coaching group got an up-close look at what Tupou Tae’iloa had to offer.
That’s exactly how it played out.
What has transpired since is one of the storylines of the 2025 Super Rugby season.
In remarkably quick time, Tupou Tae’iloa has gone from that four-to-six-week preseason training opportunity to one of the stars of the competition. Particularly on the back of his ball-carrying exploits.
He is now Moana Pasifika’s first-choice No. 8 and is set for a multi-year stay at the Auckland-based outfit.
Tupou Tae’iloa was thankful that Southland pushed for an opportunity with Moana Pasifika.
“Southland wanted me fit and ready, and I think Matt [Saunders] is a big believer [in me].
“But with everything happening so fast, I didn’t think it was going to happen like this.”
Tupou Tae’iloa wasn’t put off by the lack of interest from the Highlanders at the end of the 2024 NPC season. He was focused on making sure he would be ready to go if a Super Rugby opportunity did eventually surface.
“To be honest, I didn’t take [the Highlanders omission] to heart. I was just hopeful a door would open up.
“I was staying hungry and training, and I knew if a door did open up, I would be ready.
“I didn’t want a door to open up, and I wasn’t ready; I was always prepared.”
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph acknowledged Tupou Tae’iloa had gone from strength to strength with Moana Pasifika.
“It’s all very well seeing a player like Semisi, or any other player, but when you have already contracted players, it is hard to add to a list that has a finite number,” Joseph responded when asked if the Highlanders had let one slip by not getting Tupou Tae’iloa into the mix.
As it has turned out, the Moana Pasifika gig has probably worked out best for Tupou Tae’iloa, who was raised in Mangere, Auckland where his family is still based.
“For me, being home with my parents, it has helped a lot. Especially off the field, I guess these days if your off-field is good, you will perform on the field,” Tupou Tae’iloa said.
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In his high school years, Tupou Tae’iloa moved from Auckland to Dunedin to board at Otago Boys’ High School, where he emerged as a schoolboy talent before then being selected at New Zealand Under-19 level.
He had signed a development contract with Otago before deciding Southland might be a better spot for his rugby development.
“When I made that decision, I had had a bit of feedback from the ‘Landers, and I just wanted to see where I was at. Every Super team looks at NPC, and I just saw the opportunity [to play NPC] was greater for me in Southland.
“I liked what Matt was building, and it just felt right to be there. I like people who are passionate about rugby… Even the Southland people - the fans - are passionate, so that attracted me there.”
On Sunday, Moana Pasifika will line up at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin against the Highlanders, with Tupou Tae’iloa to again start at No 8.
He had always had a quest to one day play in a Super Rugby game at that venue, even though the initial hope was to be in the home team’s changing room and not the visitors.
“For me, every game is a big game, so nothing changes. Same mindset, same job.
“[But] this one will be a bit funny for me, and it will probably hit me when I’m out there on the field. Because ever since I went to school in Dunedin, I thought I would get to wear a Highlanders jersey.”
It’s been a big campaign for Tupou Tae’iloa on the back of his playing workload in his first season at the Super Rugby level.
But he is not showing any signs of tiring mentally or physically. He is loving every minute of the Super Rugby opportunity and getting to play alongside the likes of Ardie Savea - an idol of his when he was growing up.
Tupou Tae’iloa is also excited about the prospect of another campaign with the Stags, which will start with the preseason in July, soon after his debut Super Rugby season finishes.
“I actually can’t wait to get back down to Southland; I’m kind of missing it.”
And that comment is how you further ramp up your fan favorite status amongst Stags supporters.
THE TEAMS
Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Sam Gilbert, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), Jonah Lowe, Cameron Millar, Nathan Hastie, Hugh Renton (co-captain), Sean Withy, TK Howden, Oliver Haig, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma’u, Soane Vikena, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Rohan Wingham, Mitch Dunshea, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Jake Te Hiwi.
Moana Pasifika: William Havili, Tevita Ofa, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Danny Toala, Kyren Taumoefolau, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Jonathan Taumateine, Semisi Tupou-Ta'eiloa, Ardie Savea (captain), Miracle Faiilagi, Samuel Slade, Tom Savage, Chris Apoua, Millenium Sanerivi, Tito Tuipulotu. Reserves: Tomasi Maka, Monu Moli, Pone Fa'amausili, Ofa Tauatevalu, Sione Havili Talitui, Melani Matavao, Julian Savea, Patrick Pellegrini.