Tongan international Solomone Funaki joined Dragons from Super Rugby side Moana Pasifika ahead of the 2024/25 season. 

The tough, uncompromising back-rower previously played for Hawke’s Bay Magpies and was part of the Hurricane’s set-up before joining Moana Pasifika. 

The back-rower scored Moana Pasifika’s first-ever try during their inaugural Super Rugby game against Crusaders, going on to win ‘Moana Man of the Year’ – the club’s player of the year award, during a season where he captained the side. 

Funaki, made his Tonga debut in 2021 and featured at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, winning 15 caps to date.