Moana Pasifika has officially announced that the 2026 Super Rugby season will mark the conclusion of the club’s journey.
Following five years of competition, the Auckland-based franchise issued a statement on Wednesday revealing they had made the “heart-wrenching and challenging” choice to disband.
The club’s ambition was to host regular home matches in Samoa and Tonga, a goal that has unfortunately not been realised due to various circumstances.
Ardie Savea of Moana Pasifika speaks to his team. Getty
Moana Pasifika chair, Kiki Maoate, remarked, “This has been one of the most difficult decisions we’ve had to make. We take immense pride in our players, staff, and the community that has rallied behind us through the years.”
“Through our rugby pathways and community initiatives, we’ve contributed to nurturing a vibrant pool of Pacific talent across various sports, both locally and in the Pacific Islands. This achievement is something we hold dear, and we will continue to champion it as best we can.”
“Our primary objective now is to ensure a smooth transition for everyone impacted and to honour our legacy by concluding the season on a high note.”
New All Blacks defence coach Tana Umaga smiles ahead of a press conference. Getty
The exit of influential captain Ardie Savea to Japan has dealt a significant blow to the team, while coach Tana Umaga is set to join Dave Rennie’s All Blacks coaching staff following the 2026 season.
“We recognise and thank our loyal supporters who have stood by us through both triumphs and challenges. Your unwavering support has been invaluable to our players. We urge you to continue backing your team during this time,” Maoate expressed.
“Our journey has exemplified resilience—not only as a franchise but as Pacific people. Though this news may be hard to digest, we remain optimistic and will navigate the upcoming challenges together, as our people have always done.”
The club has pledged to “provide support to all players and staff” throughout the remainder of the season.
As it stands, Super Rugby is expected to feature 10 teams next season—five from New Zealand, four from Australia, and Fijian Drua.
This Friday, Moana Pasifika will face the NSW Waratahs in Sydney, where Prince Harry is set to attend the match at Allianz Stadium.
Compiled by SportArena.au.
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