Bay’s Moala to play season in Spain

HASTA LUEGO SIO: Siosiua Moala has signed for Spanish club Ordizia but will be back for the 2018 Poverty Bay club and Heartland season. Picture by Paul Rickard

POVERTY Bay’s version of “The Terminator” is off to Spain.

But the good news for Bay and High School Old Boys supporters is that Siosiua Moala, the Bay’s Heartland Player of the Year for the past two seasons, will be back for the 2018 season.

The 27-year powerhouse No.8 has signed a one-season professional contract with the AMPO Ordizia club, who play in the top division of the Spanish competition — División de Honor.

“Their season started in August and finishes in May so I’ll be back in time to play for HSOB and the Bay,” said Moala, who has played 27 games for the Bay and scored 60 points since moving here three years ago.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play professional rugby and now I’ve got the chance. I’m excited about the challenge.”

“I spoke to Jody Allen (a former Bay player now playing in Spain) and he said the rugby was a good standard and the lifestyle was great.”

Moala joins Ordizia, who are based in the Basque region of northern Spain, in January.

“I’ll be there for a couple of months before the family (wife Mary and their three young children) fly out two months later.

“Mary has her parent here who will help her with the kids while I’m away. That will be the hard part, leaving the family, but Mary is excited for me.”

Second time outside New ZealandApart from playing rugby in Tahiti “many years ago”, this will be Moala’s first crack at being a professional and playing outside New Zealand.

“I had a mate who played for Ordizia three years a go and they wanted me to play for them, but I wasn’t ready then.

“I can’t wait to start training and playing fulltime. It will also keep me fit for when I return to Gisborne.

Ordizia are seventh in the 12-team competition with no chance of winning the championship, but well clear of relegation.

“I want to do my best to help Ordizia move up the table and have a good finish to the season,” Moala said. “But first I’ll enjoy Christmas with the family.”

Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union chief executive Marty Davis said Moala left with the union’s best wishes.

“He’s won the Lee Bros Shield (premier club rugby title) two years running with HSOB and through outstanding performances for the LeaderBrand Poverty Bay Heartland team been rewarded selection for the national Heartland team the past two years,” Davis said.

“Siosiua has established himself as a dynamic force in the Heartland championship.

“He has contributed as a player, coach and mentor to teenage youth in the region within the sport and also within society.

“This contract allows Siosiua to return and be part of the Poverty Bay structure for next season,” said Davis.

“I have no doubt this experience, as we saw with Everard (Reid, who returned from a spell in England to play for the Bay this season) will benefit Siosiua and the Bay.

“He will return an even better player.”