Ataata Moeakiola

Ataata Moeakiola (born 6 February 1996 in Tonga) is a Tongan born, Japanese rugby union player. His playing position is wing. He most recently played for the Chiefs in 2019.[1]

Ataata Moeakiola
Date of birth (1996-02-06) 6 February 1996
Place of birthTonga
Height186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight99 kg (218 lb; 15 st 8 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020– Kobelco Steelers 33 (115)
Correct as of 26 February 2023
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017
2019		 Sunwolves
Chiefs		 0
9		 (0)
(15)
Correct as of 21 February 2021
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2016
2015–		 Japan U20
Japan		 10
4		 (39)
(15)
Correct as of 21 February 2021

Moeakiola, originally from Tonga, having left Tonga aged just 15 thanks to a university rugby scholarship in Japan. He played for the Japan's U20 side at the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in 2016.[2]

He gained major attention when he grabbed a spectacular hat-trick inside 30 minutes of a stunning performance against South Africa at the under-20 Rugby Championship in England.[3][4]

Moeakiola signed for the Chiefs for the 2019 Super Rugby season and will look to make his debut in the competition.[5]

He was named in the Japan squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[6]

Reference list
  1. "Strength across the field for Gallagher Chiefs" (Press release). Chiefs. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  2. "Super Rugby a dream come true for Chiefs' Tongan-Japanese winger Ataata Moeakiola". Stuff. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  3. "Tongan force a lethal weapon for Japan". New Zealand Herald. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  4. "Giant Japanese wing Ataata Moeakiola scores hat-trick to start comparisons to Jonah Lomu". Stuff. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  5. "Rugby: Japan winger surprise inclusion in Chiefs squad". RNZ. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  6. "Japan Training Squad for Rugby World Cup 2019". Japan Rugby. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
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