Asipeli Moala

Asipeli Moala

Born	(1998-06-29) 29 June 1998 (age 27) Tonga
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	115 kg (18 st 2 lb; 254 lb)
School	Japan Aviation High School
University	Tenri University
Rugby union career
Position Lock / Flanker / Number 8 Current team Kubota Spears Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2020 Sunwolves 0 (0) 2022– Kubota Spears 10 (5) Correct as of 3 November 2025 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2018 Japan U20 5 (0) Correct as of 3 November 2025

Asipeli Moala (アシペリ・モアラ, Ashiperi moara; born 29 June 1998) is a Tongan rugby union player who plays as a lock, flanker or number 8. ^[1] He currently plays for Kubota Spears in Japan's domestic Japan Rugby League One. ^[2]

Early career

Moala is from Tonga before moving to Japan for schooling, where he attended Japan Aviation High School. ^{[3] [4]} After school, he moved to Japan to study at Tenri University where he also played rugby between 2018 and 2022. ^[5] Having been schooled in Japan and being eligible on residency grounds, he represented Japan at U19 level, scoring a hat-trick against Ireland, ^[6] In the same year he represented Japan U2O. ^[7]

Professional career

While still a university student, Moala signed for the Japanese Super Rugby side the Sunwolves, being named as part of their squad for the 2020 Super Rugby season. ^[8] He did not make an appearance for the side. After graduating he signed for the Kubota Spears in 2022. ^[9] Having made ten appearances over his first two seasons, Moala missed the majority of the 2025 season through injury. ^[10]

References

1. "Asipeli Moala" . Retrieved 3 November 2025.
2. 選手名鑑 [Players Directory]. Kubota Spears (in Japanese). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
3. "The increasing influence of Tongans in Japan". Tier 2 Rugby. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
4. "Japan High Schools Tour of Ireland 2018". Japan Rugby. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
5. "The 57th Japan University Rugby Championship Tenri Claim Inaugural University Title". Japan Rugby. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
6. "Delight For Japan U-19s At Donnybrook As They Claim Ireland Scalp". Irish Rugby. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
7. "World Rugby U20 Championship: Wales 18-17 Japan". BBC Sport. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
8. "トヨタ吉田杏とコーラのルーカスがサンウルブズ加入。天理大の谷口祐一郎とモアラが練習生に". Rugby Republic. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
9. "クボタスピアーズ船橋・東京ベイ2022年度　新入団選手のお知らせ". Kubota Spears (in Japanese). 12 January 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
10. "長期欠場のお知らせ（アシペリ・モアラ選手）". Kubota Spears (in Japanese). 23 January 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.