Highlanders bolster pack with former Crusader Ioane Moananu

Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Powerful Counties Manukau hooker Ioane Moananu will play his Super Rugby back in New Zealand next year.

The Highlanders have signed Moananu, 25, on a two-year deal following his one season stint with the Waratahs.

Moananu played 17 times for the Crusaders between 2023 and 2025, scoring seven tries, but was squeezed out of their squad by All Blacks Codie Taylor and George Bell and former New Zealand under-20s captain Manumaua Letiu.

He added another six tries in eight games for the Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific this year.

Read more:

• Nations Championship: Lessons from round three - and how the All Blacks stacked up

• All Blacks to soak up lessons of 1996 ahead of ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ tour of South Africa

• Asafo Aumua tells a porky, sheds 10kg, now stakes his claim as All Blacks’ top hooker

• Codie Taylor’s calf injury chief concern as unbeaten All Blacks get ready for South African tour

The Highlanders also have Southland hooker Jack Taylor and Otago No 2 Henry Bell on their books, but Moananu will push for plenty of game time.

At 113kg, Moananu is a hard man to stop with ball in hand and also has a surprising turn of pace.

The hooker is a direct replacement for Soane Vikena at the Highlanders. Vikena has signed for Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan.

Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph said in a statement: “Ioane’s journey shows his resilience and hunger to grow.

“He’s performed well in two strong Super Rugby environments and we believe he’ll thrive here.

“His physicality, skill set and energy suit the Highlanders style and we’re excited to see what he can do over the next two years.”

Moananu said in a statement: “I’m really excited to be back playing in New Zealand.

“I’m extremely grateful to the Highlanders for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and making a strong contribution to the team.

“I can’t wait to meet the guys, become part of the club, and embrace everything Dunedin and the South has to offer.

“Playing indoors at Forsyth Barr Stadium in front of the Zoo is something special - Highlanders supporters create an amazing atmosphere and I can’t wait to experience that again.”

Moananu is currently rehabbing a knee injury he picked up in Australia but is set to return in the early rounds of the NPC, which kicks off in a fortnight.

The Highlanders have already announced the signing of experienced tighthead prop Jermaine Ainsley, who will play for Canterbury in the NPC.