Samiuela Moli explains Leicester move after Moana Pasifika collapse

Tonga hooker Samiuela Moli has described how a call from Leicester Tigers head coach Geoff Parling gave him a new opportunity after the collapse of Moana Pasifika left his club future uncertain. In an interview published by BBC Sport on Wednesday, the 27-year-old said he accepted the chance to move to England despite previously favouring a spell in France.

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Moli made 48 appearances for Moana Pasifika, where his brothers Monu, Sekope and Atu were also involved. The Super Rugby club's closure forced him to look elsewhere, and he told the BBC that Parling contacted him at the right moment. Moli said working with Leicester's players and coaches offered an opportunity to develop his game while contributing to his new team.

The move brought a quick introduction to English club rugby. Within days of arriving in the East Midlands in August, he appeared from the bench in Leicester's Prem Cup defeat by Harlequins. He then started their home cup loss to Newcastle Red Bulls and took part in last week's pre-season friendly victory over Munster in Cork.

Moli's route to professional rugby had previously involved combining academy commitments with manual work. He grew up in Blenheim, New Zealand, where his father worked in vineyards, and later balanced building work with training at the Crusaders' academy. He described early starts for full working days followed by evening sessions, with his experience outside rugby helping shape his approach to training and opportunities.

A call from then-Tonga coach Toutai Kefu in 2021 proved an important step. Moli was working as a builder when Kefu contacted him during a break and offered him an international opportunity. Pandemic travel restrictions affecting European-based players contributed to a squad containing 13 debutants for the match in Auckland, which Tonga lost 102-0. Within months, Moli had signed his first professional deal as part of Moana Pasifika's inaugural squad.

His latest move followed another abrupt change in circumstances. Moli told BBC Sport that losing his former club had reinforced how quickly a rugby livelihood could disappear. He said he had prepared an alternative plan whether he moved abroad or remained in New Zealand. Now at Leicester, his stated focus is on learning from those around him and earning opportunities with his new side.