Source: Radio New Zealand
The franchise has again made the decision to cancel this year’s round nine fixture against the Chiefs in Tonga, initially scheduled to take place at Teufaiva Stadium. Andy Radka/ActionPress
The Pacific Islands will once again be without Super Rugby in 2026.
Tonga was set to host Moana Pasifika against the Chiefs on 11 April, but is now searching for an alternative venue due to a lack of funding.
Moana have played in the Pacific Islands just twice since their inception, in Apia in 2023 and in 2024 in Nuku’alofa.
Last year, they were forced to cancel a scheduled match in Tonga, citing logistical challenges.
The franchise has again made the decision to cancel this year’s round nine fixture against the Chiefs in Tonga, initially scheduled to take place at Teufaiva Stadium.
Moana Pasifika CEO, Debbie Sorensen, said that the decision came down to a lack of funding and sponsorship, despite the franchise’s best efforts to make the game happen.
“We have explored every avenue possible to try and make it work, but unfortunately, we were unable to secure the necessary sponsorship to bring this game to Tonga. The challenge we face is that we are not funded to bring any games to the Pacific region, and we believe we should be.
While we are heartbroken for our team, our fans, and especially our families in Tonga, we remain hopeful and deeply committed to growing the game in the region. We look forward to opportunities to bring world-class rugby to Tonga and other Pacific countries as soon as possible.”
Just last week, Moana coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga voiced his frustration at the lack of investment.
Moana Pasifika – a franchise born to provide more Pasifika players with another professional pathway – no longer receives any funding from World Rugby, a move which disillusions coach Tana Umaga.
“We just want to be on a level playing field around the funding that goes out to all the teams. You can just see what we bring to the competition, world rugby probably needs to help out a bit more. When you look around the world and how many Pacific island players are playing in all these different countries, you don’t want to lose sight of what we represent and what we can do for this game.”
Moana Pasifika is now working with Super Rugby Pacific, New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs to find an alternative venue.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
