Ex-Brumbies wing Solomone Kata signs for Moana Pasifika
Solomone Kata of the Brumbies reacts to a try during the Round 4 Super Rugby match between the Waikato Chiefs and the ACT Brumbies at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand, Saturday, February 22, 2020. (AAP Image/Photosport, Jeremy Ward) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ** STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE, NO BOOKS **
Former Brumbies back Solomone Kata has signed with Moana Pasifika for their debut Super Rugby Pacific season in 2022.
The ex-rugby league star racked up seven Test caps for Tonga between 2014 and 2019 and also featured five times for New Zealand in 2016.
During his professional rugby league career, the 26-year-old played 93 matches for NRL side New Zealand Warriors where he was between 2015 and 2019.
He made the switch back to rugby union in 2019 when he signed with the Brumbies, going on to play 15 matches in Super Rugby.
Just as he was cementing his place with the Brumbies, Kata opted to stay in Auckland to be close to his family during a Covid-impacted season. Named with Auckland rugby for the 2021 Bunnings NPC, Kataās season was stunted by Covid when he turned his attention to Moana Pasifika.
An exciting prospect
āSolomone has already had a remarkable career in rugby league, and so he knows what a professional and international environment needs to look like to be successful,ā Moana head coach Aaron Mauger said.
āHe has a great ability to run strong and stay upright in a tackle. That, combined with his speed, makes him an exciting prospect with ball in hand and weāre delighted to him in in Moana colours for next year.ā
Kata is currently with Tonga on their northern tour and is in contention for a place in the 23 for their game with England this weekend.