# Atu Moli

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Atu_Moli
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Atu_Moli.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atu_Moli
> Source revision: 1357009267
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

NZ international rugby union player

Rugby player

Atu Moli Full name Atunaisa Moli Born (1995-06-12) 12 June 1995 (age 31) Gisborne, New Zealand Height 189 cm (6 ft 2 in) Weight 127 kg (280 lb; 20 st 0 lb) School Marlborough Boys' College University University of Waikato Notable relative(s) Monu Moli (brother), Sam Moli (brother) Rugby union career Position Prop Current team Moana Pasifika Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2015–2018 Waikato 18 (15) 2016–2023 Chiefs 55 (15) 2019–2023 Tasman 15 (0) 2024–2025 Western Force 10 (0) 2026– Moana Pasifika 7 (0) Correct as of 31 May 2026 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2014–2015 New Zealand U20 12 (0) 2017 Barbarian F.C. 1 (0) 2017–2019 New Zealand 5 (0) Correct as of 31 May 2026

**Atunaisa Moli** (born 12 June 1995) is a [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealanders) [rugby union](/source/Rugby_Union) player who currently plays as a [Prop](/source/Prop_(rugby_union)).[1][2][3][4] He has represented the New Zealand national rugby union team the [All Blacks](/source/New_Zealand_national_rugby_union_team).[5]

Starting his career as a Tighthead Prop, Moli converted to Loosehead Prop during his professional career. Moli made his debut for New Zealand in 2017, earning a recall in 2019 after a spell of injury and made their team for the [2019 Rugby World Cup](/source/2019_Rugby_World_Cup).

## Early career

Moli was born in the [North Island](/source/North_Island) town of Gisborne, but attended [Marlborough Boys' College](/source/Marlborough_Boys'_College) in the [South Island](/source/South_Island) town of [Blenheim](/source/Blenheim%2C_New_Zealand). He is of [Tongan](/source/Tongans) descent.[6] While attending college, he represented [Marlborough](/source/Marlborough_Rugby_Union) at under 16 and [Tasman](/source/Tasman_(National_Provincial_Championship)) at under 18 level before moving to [Waikato](/source/Waikato_Rugby_Union) after graduation and representing them at under 19 level.

## Senior career

Moli debuted for Waikato during the [2015 ITM Cup](/source/2015_ITM_Cup) in a match against [Tasman](/source/Tasman_(National_Provincial_Championship)) on 14 August after starring as a school boy. Hindered by a foot injury, he only played 6 games during his first season of provincial level rugby, 2 of which were from the start. [2016](/source/2016_Mitre_10_Cup) again saw him make 6 appearances, this time however, they were all from the start as he began to make the number 1 jersey his own.[1][7] In [2019](/source/2019_Mitre_10_Cup) Moli made his debut for [Tasman](/source/Tasman_(National_Provincial_Championship)) against [Manawatu](/source/Manawatu_(National_Provincial_Championship)) at [Lansdowne Park](/source/Lansdowne_Park%2C_Blenheim) in [Blenheim](/source/Blenheim%2C_New_Zealand).[8] Moli missed the [2020 Mitre 10 Cup](/source/2020_Mitre_10_Cup) with injury as the Mako went on to win their second premiership title in a row.[9] He played for the Mako during the [2021 Bunnings NPC](/source/2021_Bunnings_NPC) but again suffered an injury before the end of the season.[10]

## Super Rugby

After just 6 games at provincial level, Moli made the Chiefs Super Rugby squad for the [2016 Super Rugby season](/source/2016_Super_Rugby_season),[2] debuting in a match against the [Southern Kings](/source/Southern_Kings) in [Port Elizabeth](/source/Port_Elizabeth). A season ending injury to [Nepo Laulala](/source/Nepo_Laulala) meant that he received more game time during his debut season than he might have otherwise expected, playing 10 times and scoring 1 try.[1] He was retained by the side for the [2017 Super Rugby season](/source/2017_Super_Rugby_season).

Moli missed the whole [2018 Super Rugby season](/source/2018_Super_Rugby_season) due to a leg injury. He forced his way back into the first choice team during the [2019 Super Rugby season](/source/2019_Super_Rugby_season), establishing himself as one of the Chiefs best performers during the season.

After over a year injured Moli returned to the Chiefs side in Round 2 of the [Super Rugby Trans-Tasman](/source/Super_Rugby_Trans-Tasman) competition, coming off the bench in a 40–19 win for the side - however that was the only match he played during the [2021 Super Rugby season](/source/2021_Super_Rugby_season).[11]

## International

Moli represented [New Zealand Schools](/source/New_Zealand_national_schoolboy_rugby_union_team) in 2013 and was a member of the [New Zealand Under 20](/source/New_Zealand_national_under-20_rugby_union_team) teams which competed in the [2014](/source/2014_IRB_Junior_World_Championship) and [2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championships](/source/2015_World_Rugby_Under_20_Championship). He appeared 5 times as New Zealand finished third in 2014 and made another 5 appearances, this time as captain as the Kiwis lifted the title in 2015 with a 21–16 victory over England in the final.[12][13][14]

Moli was selected as a non playing "Apprentice" in the All Blacks squad for the [2017 Rugby Championship](/source/2017_Rugby_Championship). Moli was only the third New Zealander to be selected for the All Blacks as an apprentice, following [Ardie Savea](/source/Ardie_Savea) who was an apprentice in 2013 and [Jordie Barrett](/source/Jordie_Barrett) who held the title in 2016. After injuries to [Joe Moody](/source/Joe_Moody_(rugby_union)) and [Owen Franks](/source/Owen_Franks), the All Blacks coaches had to seek more depth for the end of year tour. This meant that after starting in a 31–22 loss against the All Blacks for the Barbarians coached by [Robbie Deans](/source/Robbie_Deans) on 4 November, Moli joined the All Blacks squad again, making his debut for New Zealand against a French side 10 days later, replacing [Tim Perry](/source/Tim_Perry_(rugby_union)) with 23 minutes left. Moli was one of six players to make their All Blacks debut in the 28–23 win.[5]

In 2019, Moli was recalled into the All Blacks squad, named to play Argentina at Jose Amalfitani Stadium (Estadio Velez Sarsfield) in Buenos Aires on Saturday 20 July as part of [The Rugby Championship](/source/The_Rugby_Championship). He made his test debut in the 60th minute of the game, replacing [Ofa Tu'ungafasi](/source/Ofa_Tu'ungafasi).[15] With experienced props, [Karl Tu'inukuafe](/source/Karl_Tu'inukuafe) and [Owen Franks](/source/Owen_Franks), axed from the team, Moli also earned an appearance off the bench against Australia during a 26–47 loss.

In August 2019, Moli was named in the All Blacks squad for the [2019 Rugby World Cup](/source/2019_Rugby_World_Cup). Moli earned his first start for the All Blacks in the sides 63–0 win over Canada, lasting the whole 80 minutes of the test.[5] Moli played one more test during the competition, coming off the bench against Wales in the Bronze Final, with New Zealand winning 40–17 to claim third place.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Atu_Moli_itsrugby.co.uk_Player_Statistics_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Atu_Moli_itsrugby.co.uk_Player_Statistics_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Atu_Moli_itsrugby.co.uk_Player_Statistics_1-2) ["Atu Moli itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics"](http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_32268.html). *itsrugby.co.uk*. Retrieved 8 December 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Chiefs_sign_New_Zealand_Under-20s_captain_Atu_Moli_on_two-year_deal_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Chiefs_sign_New_Zealand_Under-20s_captain_Atu_Moli_on_two-year_deal_2-1) ["Chiefs sign New Zealand Under-20s captain Atu Moli on two-year deal"](http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/71391164/chiefs-sign-new-zealand-under20s-captain-atu-moli-on-twoyear-deal). *Stuff.co.nz*. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Chiefs_2017_Squad_Guide_3-0)** ["Chiefs 2017 Squad Guide"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170511031335/http://files.allblacks.com/comms/2016-ISR/2017_ISR_Squad_Naming_Chiefs-PUBLISHED-01.pdf) (PDF). All Blacks.com. Archived from [the original](http://files.allblacks.com/comms/2016-ISR/2017_ISR_Squad_Naming_Chiefs-PUBLISHED-01.pdf) (PDF) on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Atu Moli"](https://www.chiefs.co.nz/player/atunaisa-moli). *chiefs.co.nz*. Retrieved 25 May 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-allblacks_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-allblacks_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-allblacks_5-2) ["Atu Moli #1168"](http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/profile.asp?ABID=1168). *All Blacks*. Retrieved 21 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Moli on his way to the top"](http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/editors-picks/9512962/Moli-on-his-way-to-the-top). Stuff.co.nz. 16 December 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Chiefs_prop_Atu_Moli_riding_the_wave_in_his_first_season_of_Super_Rugby_7-0)** ["Chiefs prop Atu Moli riding the wave in his first season of Super Rugby"](http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/82079646/chiefs-prop-atu-moli-riding-the-wave-in-his-first-season-of-super-rugby). Rugby Heaven. 16 July 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Atunaisa (Atu) Moli"](https://www.mako.nz/atunaisa-atu-moli). *mako.nz*. Retrieved 6 October 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["All Blacks prop Atu Moli ruled out for 2020 season due to double surgery for chronic hip disfunction"](https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300031602/all-blacks-prop-atu-moli-ruled-out-for-2020-season-due-to-double-surgery-for-chronic-hip-dysfunction). *stuff.co.nz*. Retrieved 5 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["'Year of the broken bone': Beaten up Tasman Mako eye NPC three-peat"](https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/300458286/year-of-the-broken-bone-beaten-up-tasman-mako-eye-npc-threepeat). *stuff.co.nz*. Retrieved 21 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Moli's return bolsters Chiefs for Brumbies clash"](https://www.superrugby.co.nz/news/molis-return-bolsters-chiefs-for-brumbies-clash/). *www.superrugby.co.nz*. Retrieved 20 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NZU20_squad_named_for_IRB_JWC2014_12-0)** ["NZU20 squad named for IRB JWC2014"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112212/http://www.allblacks.com/News/24842/nzu20-squad-named-for-irb-jwc2014). *All Blacks.com*. 23 April 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.allblacks.com/News/24842/nzu20-squad-named-for-irb-jwc2014) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NZ_Under_20_squad_named_for_World_Champs_in_Italy_13-0)** ["NZ Under 20 squad named for World Champs in Italy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161203123335/http://www.allblacks.com/news/27229/nz-under-20-squad-named-for-world-champs-in-italy). *All Blacks.com*. 12 May 2015. Archived from [the original](http://www.allblacks.com/news/27229/nz-under-20-squad-named-for-world-champs-in-italy) on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2013_NZ_Schools_team_named_14-0)** ["2013 NZ Schools team named"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161203125957/http://www.allblacks.com/News/23290/2013-nz-schools-team-named). *All Blacks.com*. 16 September 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.allblacks.com/News/23290/2013-nz-schools-team-named) on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["All Blacks deny Argentina famous victory in Buenos Aires to win Rugby Championship opener"](https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/all-blacks-deny-argentina-famous-victory-in-buenos-aires-win-rugby-championship-opener). *TVNZ*. Retrieved 21 July 2019.

## External links

- [Atunaisa Moli](https://web.archive.org/web/2024/http://www.espnscrum.com/timeline/rugby/player/302884.html) at ESPNscrum (archived)

- [Atunaisa Moli](https://www.itsrugby.fr/joueur_32268.html#noir) at ItsRugby.fr (in French)

- [Atunaisa Moli](https://all.rugby/player/atunaisa-moli) at All.Rugby

- [Atunaisa Moli](https://www.rugbydatabase.co.nz/player/index.php?playerId=24) at RugbyDatabase.co.nz

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) below (*[Moana Pasifika squad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Moana_Pasifika_squad)*) is being considered for deletion. See [templates for discussion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_July_1#Template:Moana_Pasifika_squad) to help reach a consensus. ›

v t e Moana Pasifika – current squad Forwards Tupou Afungia Alefosio Aho Chris Apoua Allan Craig Miracle Faiʻilagi Lolani Faleiva Malakai Hala-Ngatai Mamoru Harada Niko Jones Paula Latu Atu Moli Monu Moli Sam Moli Semisi Paea Abraham Pole Veikoso Poloniati Dominic Ropeti Feleti Sae-Taʻufoʻou Mills Sanerivi Tom Savage Ofa Tauatevalu Ola Tauelangi Konrad Toleafoa Tito Tuipulotu Sam Tuitupou Jimmy Tupou Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa Backs Solomon Alaimalo Jackson Garden-Bachop William Havili Lalomilo Lalomilo Joel Lam Tevita Latu Ngani Laumape Israel Leota Melani Matavao Siaosi Nginingini Tevita Ofa Patrick Pellegrini Faletoi Peni Tyler Pulini Augustine Pulu Denzel Samoa Julian Savea Jonathan Taumateine Simon-Peter Toleafoa Tuna Tuitama Glen Vaihu Coach Tana Umaga

v t e New Zealand squad – 2019 Rugby World Cup third place Forwards S. Barrett Cane Coles Coltman Frizell (replaced Jacobson) Jacobson (ruled out by injury) Laulala Moli Moody Read (c) Retallick Savea Taʻavao Taylor Todd Tuipulotu Tuʻungafasi Whitelock Backs B. Barrett J. Barrett Bridge Crotty Goodhue Ioane Lienert-Brown Mo'unga Perenara Reece A. Smith B. Smith Weber Williams Head coach: Hansen

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Atu Moli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atu_Moli) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atu_Moli?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.