Southland Stags No 8 Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa will play his Super Rugby Pacific football in Wellington from next season after signing a two-year deal with the defending champion Hurricanes.

The 22-year-old All Black became a free agent when Moana Pasifika's closure was confirmed this year. New Zealand Rugby moved quickly to secure his signature so he would not be lost to an overseas club, and the Hurricanes announced on Thursday that he will join them for 2027 and 2028.

He remains committed to the Stags for next year's NPC.

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said he first saw Tupou Ta'eiloa play for the New Zealand Under-19 side in South Africa three or four years ago, when his power in the tackle and with ball in hand stood out.

"It's great that Semisi is joining us on a two-year deal," Laidlaw said.

He said selection for the All Blacks' tour of South Africa this year showed the young loose forward's potential, and that at 22 his game still had plenty of growth in it.

Tupou Ta'eiloa said he was "grateful for the opportunity to represent the Hurricanes".

The road from Rugby Park

Born in Māngere and raised in South Auckland, Tupou Ta'eiloa moved south to attend Otago Boys' High School and made his NPC debut for Southland in 2023. He has 27 appearances and six tries for the Stags.

He joined Moana Pasifika in 2025 and was an immediate hit, named the club's rookie of the year and defensive player of the year after making 205 carries in his first season. Over two seasons he scored 11 tries in 25 matches.

The Highlanders passed on him in 2025 despite a push from then Stags coach Matt Saunders to give him a spot in their wider squad. After Moana Pasifika folded they showed brief interest before cooling again.

The Blues were also tipped as a destination, but Ardie Savea's move to the Auckland club left them well stocked in the loose forwards.

In August he became the first Moana Pasifika player to debut for the All Blacks, playing two matches against the Sharks and the Lions on the South Africa tour.

Staying in black

The Hurricanes have also retained All Black Fehi Fineanganofo for 2027 after an agreement with English club Newcastle Red Bulls, which had given him time to chase a Rugby World Cup place.

For Southland supporters, the signing keeps one of the province's brightest prospects in New Zealand and in a Stags jersey for at least another NPC campaign, after a season in which the team won only two matches.