Scarlets have confirmed the signing of tight-head prop Chris Apoua, who most recently played for Moana Pasifika before the Super Rugby Pacific side folded earlier this year. The 34-year-old, who has Samoan heritage, brings 85 senior appearances across New Zealand's provincial NPC competition and Super Rugby to the west Wales region.
Apoua was born and raised in Auckland, according to Moana Pasifika's official player page, and stands at 1.86 metres, per RugbyPass. His provincial career in New Zealand has taken in spells with both Northland and Southland.
Speaking about the move, Apoua said he hoped to make a meaningful contribution to his new club.
"I hope my experience will add to something more to Scarlets and help the team be successful," said Apoua. "There's plenty of energy and ambition around Parc y Scarlets and I'm looking forward to the new season and making a mark."
What is Apoua's playing history in New Zealand?
His provincial journey began with Northland in 2016, where rugby history records show he featured in 2016, 2017, 2023 and 2024, alongside a run with Southland between 2018 and 2021 and two seasons with Moana Pasifika from 2022 to 2023. Separately, an Otago Daily Times report noted that Apoua was set to return to the Southland jersey following an earlier Moana Pasifika stint, underlining his long-standing ties to the province before his eventual move into Super Rugby. As recently as this year, he appeared in a 2026 Super Rugby Pacific lineup for Moana Pasifika's fixture against the Hurricanes, confirming he remained part of the club's first-team plans before its disbandment.
How does this fit into Scarlets' wider recruitment plans?
Apoua becomes the latest name added to a lengthy list of incoming players at Parc y Scarlets this summer, following the arrivals of fly-half Gareth Anscombe, prop Corey Domachowski, second rows Harvey Cuckson, Alex Groves and Tom Allen, hookers John McKee and George Roberts, full-back Isaac Murray-Macgregor and All Black forward Cullen Grace. Anscombe's move was confirmed after he left French club Bayonne, with the 35-year-old expected to challenge Sam Costelow for the fly-half berth, as reported in our earlier coverage of Scarlets' signing of the Wales international.
Wales prop Harri O'Connor has also committed his future to the region, extending his contract after earning five caps since his 2020 debut, according to our report on O'Connor's new deal. Meanwhile, several players are departing the region this summer, including Marnus van der Merwe, Alec Hepburn, Tom Rogers, Jake Ball, Max Douglas and Jarrod Taylor.
Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies explained the thinking behind targeting a player of Apoua's profile.
"Chris gives us something we've been clear we need within the squad with power and physicality at tight-head," said Nigel Davies. "He brings experience from a different and demanding rugby environment we believe will benefit the wider group."
Davies further outlined the club's broader approach to signing players from outside Wales.
"For us, selective recruitment from outside Wales has to have a clear rugby purpose and be balanced and purposeful and making the collective stronger," said Apoua. "Chris will contribute significantly to the environment around our Welsh players and we're delighted to welcome him to Parc y Scarlets."
Are other Welsh clubs also recruiting from Moana Pasifika?
Scarlets are not alone in turning to former Moana Pasifika players following the franchise's collapse. Cardiff Rugby previously signed Tonga forward Semisi Paea from the disbanded side, a move made amid the financial difficulties that ultimately led to Moana Pasifika's demise, as detailed in our coverage of Cardiff's signing of Paea. Cardiff have also strengthened elsewhere in the squad by adding Namibia centre Le Roux Malan from the Sharks, as covered in our report on Malan's arrival.
Key Facts
- Chris Apoua, 34, joins Scarlets after Moana Pasifika's disbandment this year.
- He has made 85 senior appearances across New Zealand's NPC and Super Rugby competitions.
- His provincial career spans Northland (2016, 2017, 2023, 2024) and Southland (2018-2021).
- He was still featured in Moana Pasifika's 2026 lineup against the Hurricanes before the club folded.
- Other new Scarlets signings include Gareth Anscombe, Corey Domachowski and Cullen Grace.
