Tana Umaga pinpoints the ‘real risk’ which rugby union will face with Moana Pasifika’s impending demise
Moana Pasifika utility back William Havili and head coach Tana Umaga (inset).
Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga fears rugby union will lose a vast pool of talent to rugby league in the Pacific due to the impending demise of his Super Rugby franchise.
It was revealed recently that Moana would be axed from Super Rugby Pacific due to the financial burden placed on them.
The Super Rugby Pacific franchise’s ownership confirmed on Wednesday that it would not continue funding the “unviable” operation beyond the current campaign.
Moana was designed to represent Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands and they made their Super Rugby bow alongside the Fijian Drua in 2022.
Initial plans for Moana to be based in Samoa never materialised and the franchise has been operating from Auckland for the past five seasons in Super Rugby Pacific, although they played one game in Apia and another in Tonga since 2022.
A World Rugby package initially funded Moana before Pasifika Medical Association became a majority owner two years ago.
New Zealand Rugby hopeful new investors will revive Moana
Moana reportedly costs more than $7 million annually to operate and its license holders New Zealand Rugby are hopeful that new investors will be able to revive the franchise.
However, after an impressive 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, where they just missed out on qualifying for the play-offs, Moana have been struggling this year and they are firmly rooted to the bottom of the 11-team tournament’s table with a paltry four points after losing eight out of nine matches played.
And Umaga, who is the first player of Samoan descent to skipper the All Blacks, is concerned that a 10-team competition without a Pasifika presence could become a reality in 2027.
“We understand why we’re here and for people that look like us, have our background, that’s important,” he said.
“A professional environment created by us; that means a lot.”
What is particularly concerning is the future of Samoa and Tonga’s Test teams who are struggling to be competitive in the international arena.
Many of the aforementioned countries’ up-and-coming players are currently part of Moana Pasifika’s playing squad.
‘Without Moana it’s going to be tough’
“The gap between where we (Samoa and Tonga) are currently, internationally, to where we need to get to, is very big,” Umaga said. “Without Moana to bridge that gap, it’s going to be tough.
“If we keep going the way we’re going, the possibility (is that) they might not make the next cycle of the World Cup.”
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Moana Pasifika utility back William Havili said the devastating news which they received has been tough to take.
“This team gave me a chance in Super Rugby and I got to debut for my country, my dad’s country of birth and then I got to go to a World Cup,” he revealed.
“It is tough because I feel for my Samoan and Tongan brothers that we have in our team.
“They’ve come straight from Tonga or Samoa, but they might not get a chance next year now and there’s some really exciting kids that we have training with us that might just get overlooked now.”
If Moana is eventually axed, there is a strong possibility that rugby union could lose large numbers of Pacific island-based players to rugby league.
“That’s the real risk,” said Umaga, who will leave Moana to join the All Blacks coaching staff later this year.
“What is the answer if it’s not us, then what? If we’re not there, then what for Samoa and Tonga?”
