Moana Pasifika Faces Disbanding Unless New Owners Are Found

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Moana Pasifika Super Rugby team will stop playing after this season if new owners aren’t found.

The club’s chairman, Dr. Kiki Maoate, said the decision was tough but necessary after five seasons in Super Rugby. He explained that financial and operational challenges led to this choice.

Moana Pasifika is currently last in the league standings after nine rounds. The team has struggled since joining Super Rugby in 2022 alongside the Fijian Drua. Over four seasons, they ranked as high as seventh but often finished lower in the standings.

Maoate expressed pride in the team’s achievements and their support for Pacific talent across sports. He emphasized that while the team is stopping, efforts to advocate for Pacific players will continue.

Players have been assured their financial obligations for the rest of the season will be met, and help will be provided in finding new opportunities.

Moana Pasifika was created to give more chances to Samoan and Tongan athletes. However, establishing a strong base has been difficult due to competition from other teams like the Blues in Auckland.

The team’s head coach, Tana Umaga, is leaving to assist New Zealand All Blacks’ new coach, Dave Rennie.

If no new owners take over, Super Rugby will drop to 10 teams next season. The Melbourne Rebels recently left for similar financial reasons.

Moana Pasifika aimed to eventually move their base to Samoa but has faced many challenges along the way.