Prop Vea Taumoefolau to reunite with Richie Mo’unga at the Crusaders
Former Toshiba Brave Lupus prop Vea Taumoefolau is set to be reunited with his ex-teammate Richie Mo’unga after joining the Crusaders for the 2027 Super Rugby season.
New Zealand-born Taumoefolau, 24, was named in the JRFU’s provisional 55-man national team squad in February for the first time before his shock departure from Toshiba in March due to personal reasons.
The former number eight, who remains eligible for Japan, New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga, will join the Crusaders’ 12-strong wider training group for 2027 after catching the eye for Tasman in the NPC.
Taumoefolau was hailed as the ‘next Michael Leitch’ while playing as a number eight for Sapporo Yamanote High School and, after graduating from a Kyoto Sangyo University, joined the Japanese legend at Toshiba in 2024 as an early entry player.
He made his League One debut in their 46-0 capitulation against rivals Saitama Wild Knights in front of 32,613 fans in December 2025 and quickly established himself as the club’s first-choice tighthead prop before his sudden departure.
Taumoefolau, a former volleyball player as a child, made four appearances for Tasman who exited the NPC’s post-season after a quarter-final loss to Northland.
The uncapped prop, who has a Tongan father and a Samoan mother, will train full-time with the Crusaders’ Super Rugby squad as a contracted back-up player and play for the club’s development team.
In the event of injuries, he will be eligible to play for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
New Crusaders head coach Scott Hansen, who had stints as an assistant with Kobe Steelers, the Sunwolves and Japan, said on the club’s website that the wider training group provides an opportunity for NPC players to taste the Crusaders environment.
“The 2026 NPC has been a fantastic competition, widely regarded as one of the best domestic competitions in world rugby, and it’s great to be able to recognise and reward players for their performances,” said the former All Blacks assistant.
“Ultimately, we want good men who embrace the Crusaders values, compete hard and challenge those around them to get better. We’re excited about the group we’ve assembled and the opportunity to help these players grow, contribute and be part of something special.”
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