Moana Pasifika

Moana Pasifika
UnionNew Zealand Rugby
Founded2020 (2020)
Disbanded2026 (2026)
GroundNorth Harbour Stadium (Capacity: 14,000)
Most capsWilliam Havili (61)
Top scorerWilliam Havili (151)
Most triesMiracle Faiʻilagi (18)
LeagueSuper Rugby Pacific
202611th overall
Playoffs: DNQ
Team kit

Moana Pasifika was a professional rugby union team based in New Zealand. The team, which was a participant in the Super Rugby Pacific competition between 2022 and 2026, was made up of players from various Pacific Island nations as well as New Zealand- or Australian-born players of Pasifika heritage. Many of its players represented Tonga and Samoa at the international level, and also included high-profile All Blacks players, such as captain Ardie Savea.

The team was originally created for a one-off match against the Māori All Blacks in December 2020, with the future intention of trying to join the Super Rugby competition. Moana Pasifika were granted a conditional licence and subsequently an unconditional licence in April and July 2021 respectively, to join the Super Rugby competition.[1][2]

In April 2026, it was announced that the team would be disbanding at the conclusion of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season due to financial challenges.[3][4] In late June 2026, NZ Rugby confirmed the dissolution of Moana Pasifika following a failed joint bid by the Samoan and Tongan governments to save the rugby franchise.[5]

History

On 24 November 2020, Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga named a 26-man squad for the match against the Māori All Blacks on 5 December 2020.[6][7] The team was made up of New Zealand-based players who were international or sevens capped by a Pacific team or identified with a Pacific region. On 5 December 2020, the team played their first match, against the Māori All Blacks at Waikato Stadium. Captained by Sydney born Samoan international Michael Alaalatoa the side lost to the Māori 28–21.

Super Rugby

Following the conclusion of the 2020 Super Rugby season, the licences for the South African Super Rugby sides (the Bulls, the Lions, the Sharks and the Stormers), the Argentine Jaguares and the Japanese Sunwolves all expired.[8] The 2021 Super Rugby season, still affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, was played in two regionalised tournaments featuring the five New Zealand Super Rugby sides and the four Australian Super Rugby sides, plus the Western Force who had returned to the tournament having lost their licence at the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season. However, from 2022 onwards a new 12-team tournament had been mooted, and on 13 November 2020, the New Zealand Rugby Union announced Moana Pasifika, along with the Fijian Drua as its preferred partners to join the competition.[9] Further steps were made in March 2021, when the New Zealand Rugby Union agreed to a sharing of broadcast revenue with both Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua,[10] and this was followed later in the same month by World Rugby announcing financial, high performance and administrative support for both potential new sides, in order to boost the performances of Pacific Islands at international level, while also being able to stay local instead of heading overseas.[11]

On 14 April 2021, both sides were granted conditional licenses to join Super Rugby in 2022 by the New Zealand Rugby Union.[1]

On 12 July 2021, the team were granted an unconditional licence, confirming them for the 2022 Super Rugby season.[2]

On 30 August 2021, the side was confirmed in Super Rugby for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, beginning with the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.[12]

In September it was announced that Moana Pasifika would be based in South Auckland, Auckland Region, and would play their fixtures at Mt Smart Stadium until 2028.[13] Dynasty Sport was announced as the supplier for the team's on-field kit.[14] Aaron Mauger was then announced as the first coach of the team on 30 September 2021.[15]

On 15 November 2021, the schedule for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season was announced, with Moana Pasifika's inaugural match scheduled to be played against the Brumbies in Auckland.[16]

On 2 February 2022, Sekope Kepu was named as the inaugural captain of the Moana Pasifika franchise.[17]

Changes to the playing schedule due to COVID-19 protocols meant Moana Pasifika played its inaugural Super Rugby game on 4 March 2022, a 12–33 loss to the Crusaders. In that historic game, loose forward Solomone Funaki scored the franchise's first ever try.[18] Three weeks later, Moana Pasifika won its first Super Rugby game against the Hurricanes at Mt Smart Stadium, winning 24–19.[19]

On 9 November 2023, Tom Savage was named in the squad for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.[20] He's the only European to play and then captain the team.[21]

On 21 July 2024, Moana Pasifika announced the signing of All Blacks forward Ardie Savea, which was considered by many to be the most significant player transfer in Super Rugby history.[22]

Proposed dissolution

On 15 April 2026, Moana Pasifika announced that it would disband at the end of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season due to financial challenges, with the club needing between NZ$10 and $12 million to remain financially sustainable.[4] Contributing to this decision was the team's struggle to find a home stadium after being forced to leave Mount Smart. They moved to North Harbour Stadium, but are limited to just 5 games a season at the venue. A recent attempt to play a home game in Tonga was unsuccessful due to lack of sponsorship.[3] In response, New Zealand Rugby confirmed that other parties were exploring options for keeping the rugby club alive.[4]

0n 24 June 2026, NZ Rugby confirmed the dissolution of Moana Pasifika following a failed joint bid by the Samoan and Tongan governments to save the rugby franchise.[5] NZ Rugby provided temporary funding to Moana Pasifika so that it could complete its final campaign in 2026. Liquidators were appointed after Moana Pasifika's shareholders voted to fold the team. Due to the dissolution of Moana Pasifika, Super Rugby Pacific is expected to drop to 10 teams in 2027.[23] While Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed regret that he had not been allowed to lobby other countries including France and Japan for further funding to support NZ Rugby, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon ruled out the use of public funds to support what he described as a "failing rugby franchise."[5]

Franchise area and ownership

Franchise area

The Moana Pasifika team was established to represent all of the Pacific Islands and provide a high-level professional pathway for players primarily able to represent Samoa and Tonga, and their respective national representative sides, as well as other Pacific Island nations.[24]

Although based in New Zealand, Moana Pasifika do not represent any New Zealand provincial unions as is the case with the other New Zealand based Super Rugby teams but instead recruit players from across the Pacific Region, including New Zealand and Australia. The team is primarily composed of players based in or with ancestral ties to the Pacific Islands; largely Samoan and Tongan players but also of other Pacific heritage, including but not limited to Fijian, Māori and Cook Islands Māori.

The team draws on players from various teams that participate in semi-professional or amateur competitions in Pacific Island countries such as the Datec Cup Provincial Championship, Samoa National Provincial Championship and the Skipper Cup, or represents one of its served nations national rugby union side or sevens side. Many of the players who represent Moana Pasifika also play their rugby in New Zealand or Australia in competitions such as the National Provincial Championship, Heartland Championship, Queensland Premier Rugby or Shute Shield.[25]

Ownership

Although New Zealand Rugby (NZR) granted Moana Pasifika the licence for them to join the Super Rugby Pacific competition, the club is not owned or operated by, and is not directly affiliated with New Zealand Rugby, as is the case with the other New Zealand-based teams.[26] The club was established and wholly owned by a charitable trust, the Moana Pasifika Charitable Trust. In 2021, World Rugby approved a funding package for a period of three years to support the establishment and operation of both the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika, worth £1.2m annually, shared between the two teams. The two new teams were also to be supported by their respective national unions and private equity funding.[11] Sport New Zealand provided significant funding for Moana Pasifika in order to underwrite the franchise and cover additional operating costs for a period of four years.[27]

In 2024, majority ownership of the club was sold to the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group, which previously held a minority stake in the club. The deal included sponsorship and a partnership that would provide infrastructure and support around communications, events management, and a facility for the team's training and events.[28][29]

Grounds

While ideally basing the team in a Pacific Island nation (i.e. Samoa or Tonga), the proposal put forward for the formation of the franchise outlined that basing the team in New Zealand during at least its formative years would be a more logistically feasible and viable option.[24][30][31][32][33]

Moana Pasifika announced in September 2021 that they had signed an agreement to base their operations and play their home games at Mount Smart Stadium for the duration of the 2022–2028 seasons.[33][13] After the first two rounds of Moana Pasifika's debut season were postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the team, and after having to play what should have been their debut Super Rugby home match in Dunedin, they eventually hosted their first home game at Mount Smart Stadium in Round 5 of the 2022 competition, against the Chiefs.

Round 8 of the 2023 season saw a historic game against the Reds hosted at Apia Park, Apia[34] – the second ever Super Rugby game to be played in Samoa after the Blues hosted the Reds at the same stadium in 2017.[35]

The 2024 Round 3 game against the Rebels was relocated to Waikato Stadium due to turf issues at the original venue,[36] while the team's solitary match against the Blues in Round 6 was played at Eden Park and treated as a home game for both teams, both being based in the Auckland area.[37][38] Additionally, the Round 8 fixture versus the Reds was played at Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei.[38] Moana Pasifika hosted the first Super Rugby game to be played in Tonga in Round 11, taking on the Highlanders at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa.[39]

In September 2024, it was announced that Moana Pasifika would make North Harbour Stadium its full-time home, with home games to be hosted at the venue from 2025,[40] cutting short its tenure at Mount Smart Stadium.

In 2025 Moana Pasifika's Round 6 clash against the Chiefs, originally scheduled to be played in Nuku'alofa, was relocated to Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe, owing to "a number of logistical challenges" and health concerns in hosting the match in Tonga at the time.[41][42] The Round 10 match against the Brumbies was also played at the venue, as originally scheduled.[43]

Albany Penrose Apia Nuku'alofa Pukekohe
North Harbour Stadium Mount Smart Stadium Apia Park Teufaiva Stadium Navigation Homes Stadium
Capacity: 14,000 Capacity: 25,000 Capacity: 12,000 Capacity: 10,000 Capacity: 12,000

Development team

Moana Pasifika have fielded an U20 development team in Super Rugby U20 since 2023[44] and also competed in the inaugural edition of the Oceania Rugby Under 20s Challenge in 2024.[45] As with the senior Super Rugby side, the squad is selected from across the Pacific Region, including New Zealand, and is composed of the best emerging age-grade rugby talent either based in or with ancestral ties to the Pacific Islands – players of Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Māori, Cook Islands Māori, Nieuan, Ni-Vanuatu and Tokelauan heritage have featured to date.[46][47]

Honours


Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge (2024)

  • Third (1)

2024

Records and achievements

Season standings

A season-by-season summary of Moana Pasifika's regular season results is shown below:[48]

Super Rugby Pacific
Season Pos Pld W D L F A +/- BP Pts Notes
202212th142012267514−247210
202312th141013354610−25648
202411th144010265485−220218
20257th14608405544−139428

Results per opposition

Moana Pasifika Super Rugby results vs different opponents[49]

Super Rugby
Opposition Span Played Won Drawn Lost Win%
New Zealand Blues2022–2025610516.7%
New Zealand Chiefs2022–202570070.0%
New Zealand Crusaders2022–2025510420.0%
New Zealand Highlanders2022–2025610516.7%
New Zealand Hurricanes2022–2025720528.6%
Australia Brumbies2022–2025410325.0%
Australia Force2022–2025410325.0%
Australia Rebels2022–202430030.0%
Australia Reds2022–2025410325.0%
Australia Waratahs2022–2025430175.0%
Fiji Fijian Drua2022–2025620433.3%
Overall2022–2025561304323.2%
Updated to: 1 June 2025

Players

2020 squad

Captains


Coaching staff

Former coaches

Moana Pasifika coaches by date, matches and win percentage*
Coach Period G W D L %
Aaron Mauger 2022–2023 283025010.71
Tana Umaga 2024–2026 4212030028.57
Totals (2022–present)* 7015055021.43
Updated to: 31 May 2026

Notes:

^* Official Super Rugby competition matches only, including finals.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Next steps in Pacific Island professional teams journey confirmed by NZ Rugby" (Press release). All Blacks. 14 April 2021. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Moana Pasifika granted unconditional licence". Super Rugby NZ. 12 July 2021. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  3. 1 2 "'Devastating news': Moana Pasifika to disband at end of season". 1News. 14 April 2026. Archived from the original on 15 April 2026. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Paul, Gregor; McMillan, Cameron (15 April 2026). "Moana Pasifika announce franchise to disband at end of Super Rugby Pacific season, NZR exploring options for club's future". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 15 April 2026. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Pearse, Adam (24 June 2026). "Moana Pasifika: Winston Peters laments not seeking funding from Japan, France before franchise demise". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Tana Umaga names experienced Moana Pasifika squad". rnz.co.nz. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Moana Pasifika names side to face Māori All Blacks". allblacks.com. 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  8. ↑ "Reports: Super Rugby set for 12 from 2022". SA Rugby Magazine. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  9. ↑ "New Zealand Rugby confirms Fiji Rugby & Moana Pasifika as preferred partners". New Zealand Rugby. 13 November 2020. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  10. ↑ "Super Rugby: Moana Pasifika, Fiji poised for 2022 inclusion as NZ Rugby shares broadcast revenue". Stuff.co.nz. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  11. 1 2 "World Rugby to support Pacific Islands Super Rugby ambitions". World Rugby. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  12. ↑ "Super Rugby Pacific format confirmed". Super Rugby NZ. 30 August 2021. Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  13. 1 2 "Super Rugby: Moana Pasifika lays down roots at Mt Smart Stadium". Stuff.co.nz. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  14. ↑ Zealand, Dynasty Sport | New (29 September 2021). "Dynasty Sport Partners with Moana Pasifika to Make Rugby History". Dynasty Sport | New Zealand. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  15. ↑ "New Moana Pasifika coach Aaron Mauger signals intent to sign best young talent before NZ teams". Stuff.co.nz. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  16. ↑ "Match schedule for Super Rugby Pacific revealed". SANZAAR. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  17. ↑ "Sekope Kepu named Moana Pasifika Captain". Moana Pasifika. 2 February 2022. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  18. ↑ "Moana Pasifika make Crusaders fight for win in historic Super Rugby debut". Stuff NZ. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  19. ↑ "Moana Pasifika beat Hurricanes for 1st Super Rugby win". AP. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  20. ↑ "Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika name squad for new Super Rugby season". RNZ. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  21. ↑ Schofield, Daniel (25 March 2025). "Tom Savage interview: How an Englishman ended up captaining Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby". The Telegraph.
  22. ↑ "Ardie Savea to Moana Pasifika: The most significant transfer in Super Rugby history?". Radio New Zealand. 22 July 2024.
  23. ↑ "Final reprieve for Moana Pasifika fails and forces more change for Super Rugby Pacific". Stuff. 24 June 2026. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  24. 1 2 "Moana Pasifika would love to play in Samoa and Tonga permanently, says Aaron Mauger". Stuff. 13 April 2023. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  25. ↑ "Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua confirmed to join revamped Super Rugby competition in 2022". Rugby Pass. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  26. ↑ "Moana Pasifika chief executive Debbie Sorensen discusses 2025 hopes, Ardie Savea effect". New Zealand Herald. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  27. ↑ "NZ Government's multi-million dollar funding of Moana Pasifika revealed". New Zealand Herald. 18 February 2022. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  28. ↑ "Pasifika Medical Association welcomes Moana Pasifika to the PMA family". Pacific Media Network. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  29. ↑ "'It's more than just rugby': New owners reveal plans to unlock Pacific sporting power". Pacific Media Network. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  30. ↑ "Auckland-based Pasifika bid for Super Rugby unveiled". Stuff. 13 September 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  31. ↑ "New Zealand Rugby announces Pacific teams to join Super Rugby". Radio New Zealand. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  32. ↑ "Moana Pasifika confirm home ground for Super Rugby Pacific". Radio New Zealand. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  33. 1 2 "Moana Pasifika to call Mt Smart home". Radio New Zealand. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  34. ↑ "Moana Pasifika to Play Historic Home Game in Samoa". Moana Pasifika. 23 March 2025. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  35. ↑ "Blues target historical Apia win". Samoa Observer. 23 March 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  36. ↑ "Waikato rugby fans get a boost as Moana Pasifika match moves to Hamilton's FMG Stadium Waikato". H3 Group. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  37. ↑ "Moana Pasifika take on the Blues at home at Eden Park – 30 March 2024". Moana Pasifika. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  38. 1 2 "Moana Pasifika expand reach with new match schedule". Moana Pasifika. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 March 2026. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  39. ↑ "Moana Pasifika prepare for historic match in Tonga". 1News. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  40. ↑ "North Harbour Stadium to host 2025 Moana Pasifika home games".
  41. ↑ "Moana Pasifika cancels Tonga game due to floodlight installation delays". Radio NZ. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  42. ↑ "Pukekohe to Host First Super Rugby Match in Over a Decade". Rugby Xplorer. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  43. ↑ "Moana Pasifika to play first Super Rugby game in South Auckland". Moana Pasifika. 21 January 2025. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  44. ↑ "Inaugural Moana Pasifika Under 20s team named to tackle Bunnings Warehouse Super Rugby Under 20s Competition". Moana Pasifika. 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  45. ↑ "Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge 2024 Results". Moana Pasifika. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  46. ↑ "Moana Pasifika name team for Super Rugby U20s tournament". Moana Pasifika. 14 March 2024. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  47. ↑ "Moana Pasifika name team for 2025 Super Rugby U20s tournament". Moana Pasifika. 13 March 2025. Archived from the original on 5 March 2026. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  48. ↑ "Moana Pasfika". Rugby Database. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  49. ↑ "Moana Pasifika - Head to Head". www.rugbydatabase.co.nz. Rugby Database. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.