'Lost generation' looms from Moana demise

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, June 25, 2026

Moana Pasifika will be removed from Super Rugby Pacific after New Zealand Rugby declined to approve any transfer of the team’s licence due to unmet financial and business requirements. This decision cuts off a key pathway for Pacific Island players to enter professional rugby, reducing the competition to 10 teams from 2027 while leaving open the possibility for future Pasifika representation.

The removal of Moana Pasifika from Super Rugby Pacific will significantly impact Pacific Island rugby talent, according to Wallabies captain Allan Alaalatoa. Alaalatoa, who embraces his Samoan heritage, expressed concern upon learning of the team’s exclusion while attending Wallabies training camp in Sydney on Tuesday. He highlighted the effect on young players in the Pacific Islands who looked to Moana Pasifika as a pathway to professional rugby.

“For many young players in Samoa, Tonga, and the Cook Islands, Moana Pasifika provided a tangible goal and opportunity to advance to the highest levels of the sport,” Alaalatoa said. “Now, with the team’s future uncertain, those pathways have effectively been closed off.”

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced it will not approve any transfer of Moana Pasifika’s licence, eliminating the team’s chance to participate in Super Rugby Pacific beyond the current season. Despite interest from at least two groups aiming to preserve the franchise, NZR stated none met the necessary financial and business criteria. Consequently, the Super Rugby Pacific competition will reduce to 10 teams starting from the 2027 season.

“A competitive and sustainable team requires more than NZ$10 million (approximately US$8.2 million) in commercial revenue on top of broadcast income, along with at least NZ$15 million in committed capital to support the necessary business plan and cash reserves,” said NZR chief financial officer Chris Kinraid. He added that while the doors are closed for 2027, the organisation remains open to future proposals that meet these financial benchmarks.

NZR also emphasised its continued commitment to the Pasifika community, which has been integral to the competition for three decades. A Super Rugby Pacific statement acknowledged Moana Pasifika’s significant contributions since joining the league in 2022 and expressed gratitude to players, staff, supporters, and partners involved.

“The Pasifika community’s role in the competition is fundamental, and our dedication to celebrating that heritage remains unwavering,” the statement said. Further details concerning the Super Rugby Pacific season format for 2027 are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, players and staff associated with Moana Pasifika are now seeking opportunities with other clubs following the franchise’s collapse. While uncertainty surrounds the immediate future of Pacific Island representation at the professional level, NZR has affirmed its belief that a sustainable team based in the islands can be established at a later date.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.