Jonah Mau’u

Nationality: Australia
New Zealand
Position: Number 8, Flanker
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 235lbs
Past Teams: Gold

Australian-born NZ raised back row Jonah Mau’u played in Major League Rugby between 2024-2025. He represented the NOLA Gold for his entire MLR career.

Son of a Samoan father and Croatian mother, Mau’u began his professional career with Northland in New Zealand’s NPC in 2021, and has represented them since. He also represented the Moana Pasifika in the 2023 Super Rugby Season. His move stateside was announced by the NOLA Gold on 29th November 2023 on a 2yr contract that will keep him with the Gold through 2025. He scored 6 tries in 12 games (all starts) and gained over 800m with ball in hand, also completing over 130 tackles in defence. For his efforts in 2024 he was named as the NOLA Gold Forward of the Year for 2024.

On January 8th, 2025, the NOLA Gold confirmed the return of Jonah Mau’u along with six other returning back row players for 2025. In his sophomore season, Mau’u set career highs with 8 tries and 181 tackles completed in a leadership role for the NOLA Gold in a disappointing season for the club where they missed out on the postseason despite Mau’u’s efforts. He was the only NOLA Gold player to be named in the 2025 All-MLR teams, when he was an Honorable Mention. Following the season he was included in the Samoa squad for their July tests.

In August 2025, the NOLA Gold announced that they would be withdrawing from Major League Rugby and would not participate in the 2026 season. With the League down to 6 teams and as an international player, Jonah Mau’u sought opportunities overseas. On 2nd December 2025, Nissa Rugby (formerly Stade Niçois) announced the signing of Mau’u for their 2025/26 season in the French Nationale.