Just a few months into the year and Manawatū Rugby Academy recruit Mosese Bason has already racked up two major milestones – the Super Rugby U20 MVP award and selection for the New Zealand Under 20 team.

Bason, the brother of Manawatū Turbo Vernon Bason and Manawatū Cyclone Taufa Bason, joined the academy this year after three years in the Feilding High School First XV.  

He was one of six Manawatū players to feature for the Hurricanes in the recent Super Rugby U20 tournament inv Taupō – another two played for Moana Pasifika. Bason’s destructive carries and tireless effort on defence earned him the Sir John Graham Trophy for MVP of the tournament.

The tournament was another opportunity for the Bason brothers to team up, with older brother Vernon captaining the team. The brothers played alongside each other in the Feilding High School First XV for two seasons and got in some game time together for Manawatū Academy this February.  

“Playing with my brother brought back memories. We haven’t played much together since high school so it was good to be on the same pitch and be captained by him,” says Bason. 

Next, the brothers will have the chance to play together in the black jersey, having both been named in the New Zealand team for the Under 20 Rugby Championship. This will be Vernon’s second year in the New Zealand Under 20s, while Mosese represented New Zealand Schools last year.

Outside of rugby, Bason is studying at Victoria University of Wellington with the support of a scholarship from the Hurricanes. Having always loved art, Bason is working towards a Bachelor of Design Innovation majoring in Fashion Design.

Because of his education commitments, Bason spends most of his week in Wellington, where he follows an online training programme set by Manawatū Academy coaches. Whenever he’s back in Palmerston North, Bason is getting in sessions in the Manawatū Rugby Performance Centre. This flexibility is an example of Manawatū Rugby finding ways to hold on to promising young players while they fulfill their dreams outside of the game.  

On the weekend, Bason is running out for College Old Boys in the Manawatū Senior 1 competition. He’s enjoying the step up to senior level rugby.

“I think it’s a faster pace when you’re playing against players your own age, but when it comes to club rugby, you’re going up against bigger bodies. It’s a lot of fun,” says Bason.  

Article added: Thursday 11 April 2024