The Japanese Jonah Cooper unleashes bolter in Chiefs squad for 2019
The Chiefs have unearthed a giant Japanese wrecking ball who was once compared to late All Blacks great Jonah Lomu.
Tongan-born Japan international wing Ataata Moeakiola was the unknown player among the 38-man Chiefs squad announced yesterday for the 2019 Super Rugby season.
The 22-year-old is one of six new faces contracted to the Chiefs for the first time, as well as Reuben O’Neill, Etene NanaiSeturo, Laghlan McWhannell, Jack Debreczeni and Tumua Manu.
Chiefs coach Colin Cooper said he met with Moeakiola in Japan last year. His inclusion among the squad’s outside backs meant there was no room for Waikato’s Sevu Reece despite his standout season in the Mitre 10 Cup.
‘‘He’s a big, strong, fast midfielder/winger that has been doing a lot of damage over there,’’ Cooper said of Moeakiola.
Moeakiola has been contracted in Super Rugby before, with the Sunwolves in 2017. He joins the Chiefs from the Tokai University club after meeting with Cooper in Kobe, the Japanese city home to the Kobelco Steelers, who the Chiefs established a partnership with in 2014.
At the world under-20 championships in 2016, Moeakiola was in formidable form despite Japan finishing bottom of their pool after defeats to Argentina, South Africa and France.
The big wing demonstrated tremendous speed and strength, drawing comparisons with legendary All Black Lomu.
Standing at an imposing 185cm and weighing about 110kg, his highlight of the 2016 tournament in England was a stunning hat-trick against South Africa.
Cooper confirmed that Moeakiola was bound for the Chiefs before Reece’s contract with Irish club Connacht was terminated after his court appearance in Hamilton on October 1.
Reece was discharged without conviction and fined $750 after sentencing on one count of male assaults female – an incident involving his girlfriend – which occurred on July 1 this year.
Cooper said the Chiefs would work with the Fijian wing, who has spent time in their development squad since his Waikato debut in 2016.
‘‘He had a great Mitre 10 Cup and put his hand up not just for the Chiefs, but to all Super clubs. He certainly should be looked at.’’
Colin Cooper, right, on Ataata Moeakiola
There was no place in the squad for Reece’s Waikato teammate, centre Quinn Tupaea, who had a superb debut season as the Mooloos won the Championship.
Meanwhile, rising stars
O’Neill and Nanai-Seturo will be looking to make the step up to Super Rugby.
Nanai-Seturo, who made his Counties Manukau debut towards the end of their season, joins the Chiefs after catching the eye for the New Zealand sevens team following the contract dispute between New Zealand Rugby and the Warriors earlier this year.
‘‘He’s another young man that made his name at sevens,’’ Cooper said. ‘‘We’re looking at 15 and wing for him to progress and grow him.’’
After making his mark with Taranaki, O’Neill boosts a particularly strong group of props the Chiefs are blessed with. He
could make his All Blacks debut against Japan on Saturday after being included in their wider touring squad.
The other newcomers are young Waikato lock McWhannell, former Melbourne Rebels utility Debreczeni from Northland, and Auckland centre Manu.
Centre Bailyn Sullivan and loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula have both been promoted to full Super Rugby contracts for the first time.
‘‘He’s a big, strong, fast midfielder/winger that has been doing a lot of damage.’’