"This is one of the hardest decisions we have ever made." — Moana Pasifika Chair Dr. Kiki Maoate
Moana Pasifika Will Cease Operations After 2026 Season
The Super Rugby Pacific competition is set to become a 10-team league starting in 2027, following the confirmed closure of the Moana Pasifika franchise due to insurmountable funding issues. Officials are now proposing a restructuring of the competition format and player eligibility rules for the remaining teams.
Moana Pasifika Closure
The Moana Pasifika board confirmed on Wednesday that the franchise will cease operations at the end of the 2026 season. The team's 60 players and staff were informed of the decision on Tuesday. The franchise cited funding issues as the primary reason for the closure.
Founded in 2020 and beginning play in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season, the team was based in Auckland and focused on players of Samoan, Tongan, and Cook Islands descent. The franchise is owned by the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA). According to a report in the New Zealand Herald, the team's annual running costs exceeded $10 million.
"Despite the tireless dedication of players, staff, and supporters, it is no longer viable to continue the franchise at this level of competition." — Moana Pasifika statement
Moana Pasifika Chair Dr. Kiki Maoate stated: "This is one of the hardest decisions we have ever made. We are immensely proud of our players, staff, and the community who have supported our team over the years." He added that the organization's commitment is to "ensure a smooth transition for everyone affected and to celebrate our legacy by finishing the season strong."
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) acknowledged the decision, stating: "NZR remains supportive of Moana Pasifika's vision to create pathways from the Pacific and is saddened by the challenges the club faces." NZR indicated it is open to engaging with parties exploring financially viable plans for the team's future participation in Super Rugby Pacific.
According to the PMA website, the mission of Moana Pasifika was "to champion the collective power of Pacific people and culture and put it on a global stage, encouraging participation in sport and development and support of Pacific youth."
Background and Context
- The team has played home matches at Mt Smart Stadium, Pukekohe, Rotorua, and Albany.
- The team played a game in Samoa in 2023. Plans to play a match in Tonga in 2026 were canceled when a major sponsor could not be found.
- Questions about the franchise's financial stability surfaced during the offseason, related to the standing of its majority owner, the Pasifika Medical Association.
- A proposal to merge the franchise with the Melbourne Rebels was previously considered but did not materialize.
Impact on Competition Structure
The departure of Moana Pasifika will reduce the Super Rugby Pacific competition from 12 teams (as of 2022) to 10 teams starting in 2027. This follows the Melbourne Rebels ceasing operations after the 2024 season due to financial debts. Owners of the Rebels continue legal action against Rugby Australia.
The Fijian Drua, another Pacific-based team, will continue to compete in Super Rugby.
Current Season
Moana Pasifika has won one of its first nine matches in the 2026 season. The team will continue to compete through the remainder of the current season. Their next match is against the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday night.
Key personnel changes for the 2026 season include:
- All Blacks star Ardie Savea, who played for Moana Pasifika in 2025 and was named the competition's player of the year, will play in Japan for the 2026 season.
- Coach Tana Umaga has joined the All Blacks coaching staff and will not return after the 2026 season.
Proposed Format Changes
Super Rugby Pacific officials are considering several changes to the competition format following the planned disbandment of Moana Pasifika.
Competition Format:
- A 10-team competition is being considered.
- Officials are proposing an 18-match double round robin regular season.
- Broadcaster Stan Sport has proposed the return of a conference system that would guarantee Australian teams' participation in the finals.
Player Eligibility:
- Officials have proposed relaxing player eligibility rules to allow New Zealanders to play in Australia while remaining eligible for the All Blacks, and vice versa.
- New Zealand Rugby currently maintains a policy of not selecting players based outside New Zealand unless they have NZR contracts.
- Rugby Australia's policy is less defined, with high-performance director Peter Horne reportedly stating a maximum of three players could be selected from overseas.
- Both unions have stated they believe players remaining in Australia and New Zealand best prepares them for international rugby.
Financial Structure:
- A fixed salary cap for all clubs has been discussed, though this presents complexities due to existing national union contracting systems and top-up schemes for players.
Governance Concerns
Some Super Rugby officials have expressed concerns about limited decision-making power. One New Zealand Super Rugby CEO stated: "We don't think the commission has gone far enough. More independence is needed." The same official said that Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby retain control over format decisions, and that national unions view Super Rugby primarily as a development competition rather than a top-tier commercial product.
Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley stated earlier this year that there are no plans to add new teams to the competition following the Melbourne Rebels' demise. Mesley said: "We've got a job to solidify and really contain and fortify what we have now. So that is where our energy is focused."
Next Steps
These topics are scheduled for discussion when all clubs gather in Christchurch for the Super Round this month.
Rugby Australia Financial Context
In related developments, Rugby Australia reported a surplus of $70.6 million for 2025 and eliminated its large debt. Match revenue accounted for $147 million, sponsorship $55 million, and broadcast revenue $38 million. RA has indicated that the broadcast revenue figure is artificially low due to accounting treatment, with the true figure believed to be $10 million higher than 2024's $49 million. Match-day costs increased due to staging Lions fixtures.
Rugby Australia is pursuing an additional Bledisloe Cup match annually. The event is expected to sell out in major Australian stadiums. A third Bledisloe test may conflict with the Super Round event in Christchurch, as holding both on the same weekend poses a scheduling conflict.
Malcolm Gillies, a Hurricanes investor, stated that the current Super Rugby model is not sustainable and requires change. RA and NZR do not share this view.