Malakai Hala-Ngatai
| Born | 7 January 2003 New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 184 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 125 kg (276 lb; 19 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Manukura | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Malakai Hala-Ngatai (born 7 January 2003) is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for Moana Pasifika and Manawatu. His preferred position is prop.[1]
Early career
Hala-Ngatai was born in New Zealand but is of Tongan and Māori ancestry.[2] He attended Manukura school where he played rugby and earned selection for the New Zealand Māori under-18 Ngā Whatukura team.[3] He then earned selection for the Hurricanes U20 side in 2022,[4] before earning selection for the New Zealand U20 side in 2023.[5] He plays his club rugby for Kia Toa.[6]
Professional career
Hala-Ngatai has represented Manawatu in the National Provincial Championship since 2023, being named in the squad for the 2025 Bunnings NPC.[7] In 2024, he joined the New England Free Jacks for the 2024 Major League Rugby season, helping them to win their second consecutive title,[8] before returning for 2025 as they won their third consecutive title.[9] He then signed for Moana Pasifika ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.[10]
References
- ^ "Malakai Hala-Ngatai". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ^ "Malakai Hala-Ngatai". Moana Pasifika. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ^ "Top Manawatū schoolboy rugby players selected for national teams". Stuff.co.nz. 13 September 2001. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ^ "Hurricanes under 20s squad named". Hurricanes. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ^ "New Zealand Under 20 team named ahead of final World Rugby U20 Championship pool match against Japan Under 20". NZ Rugby. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ^ "Kia Toa's free-running big men too much for Yellows". Stuff.co.nz. 16 April 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ^ @manawaturugby; (15 July 2025). "OUR HIGGINS CONCRETE MANAWATŪ TURBOS". Retrieved 17 July 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ "From debut to dominance: A close look at the Free Jacks' new players and their unique impacts on the pitch". New England Free Jacks. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ^ "Free Jacks reload roster with return of more 2024 Champions". New England Free Jacks. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ^ "Moana Pasifika name squad for 2026". Moana Pasifika (Press release). 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
External links
- Malakai Hala-Ngatai at ItsRugby.co.uk