World Rugby boss’ blunt Moana Pasifika verdict amid All Blacks great’s call for governing body to ‘step in’
Moana Pasifika players form a huddle and World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson (inset).
World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson has revealed that his organisation will not come to the rescue of the embattled Super Rugby Pacific outfit Moana Pasifika.
It was revealed last week that Moana would be axed from Super Rugby Pacific at the end of the current campaign due to the financial burden placed on them.
The Super Rugby Pacific franchise’s owners have confirmed that they will not continue funding the “unviable” operation beyond the current campaign.
Moana was designed to represent Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands. The franchise made its Super Rugby debut alongside the Fijian Drua in 2022.
A World Rugby package initially funded Moana before Pasifika Medical Association became a majority owner two years ago.
Moana reportedly costs more than NZ$7 million annually to operate, and its license holders, New Zealand Rugby, are hopeful that new investors will be able to revive the franchise.
Earlier this week, ex-All Black fly-half Stephen Donald urged World Rugby to “step in” and save Moana, but Robinson made it clear that his organisation will not bail out the beleaguered franchise.
‘It’s not our job, it’s not our responsibility’
“World Rugby doesn’t underwrite professional teams… It’s not our job, it’s not our responsibility. But what we will do is invest heavily in creating and supporting the strength, the capability of international teams, where we can,” he said in Christchurch on Friday.
Super Rugby chief executive Jack Mesley wants clubs to be “fan-centric and drive revenue and not be reliant on handouts”.
“We can’t be sitting here looking at Brett (to help),” he said.
Mesley remains optimistic about Moana’s survival and told reporters there is a window of opportunity for new owners to come to the franchise’s rescue.
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When asked how much time Super Rugby Pacific’s organisers have before starting preparations for a 10-team competition in 2027, Mesley would not put a hard deadline forward.
‘There’s a lot of talk about it’
“It’s not big. The good news is the news is out there. There’s a lot of talk about it,” he added.
“Everyone that might be in a position to do so knows about it. And I’m sure those conversations are happening if there is interest.”
Robinson said World Rugby remained committed to the Pacific Islands and revealed that A$15 million (NZ$18 million) was going to the islands from the World Cup fund, aimed at supporting junior pathways for men’s and women’s 15s and sevens rugby.