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Moana Pasifika prepare to bid farewell to Super Rugby / Photo: © AFP
Moana Pasifika prepare to bid farewell to Super Rugby
Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga has urged his financially stricken team to go out on a high as the Super Rugby club prepare to play their final match, barring a last-minute reprieve.
Auckland-based Moana, who have won just one from 13 games this season and are anchored to the bottom of the ladder, face the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.
While the hosts are chasing a victory that would secure a fourth-place finish, it is all about pride for Moana, which was established in 2020 to provide a top-level pathway for players of Pacific heritage.
Moana's ownership group said in April it will cease its funding at the end of the season, citing "financial, operational and strategic realities".
Unless new owners step in at the 11th hour, the southern hemisphere competition will be reduced to 10 teams next year after the Melbourne Rebels similarly shut down because of financial difficulties after the 2024 season.
"We've got nothing to lose and we've got to be confident in what we're doing," said Umaga, a former All Blacks captain, adding: "We want to get a good result for ourselves."
New Zealand media has reported there are parties interested in acquiring the licence, although nothing concrete has been put forward.
Umaga, who will join Dave Rennie's new All Blacks coaching team when the season ends, told reporters "there's some positives, some good people just saying some positive things".
"There's hope and when there's hope, there's a way," he added.
Owned by the Pasifika Medical Association, the club focused on developing players of Samoan, Tongan and Cook Islands descent.
They enjoyed their best year in 2025 when they finished seventh.
The Brumbies have already booked their spot in the playoffs and will secure fourth should they win and the Canterbury Crusaders lose to the table-topping Wellington Hurricanes.
"We've certainly got to focus on trying to win this weekend. We've picked a team that reflects that," said Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham.
They are boosted by the return of Charlie Cale at No.8, joining Rob Valetini and Rory Scott in the back row.
Cale scored nine tries in seven matches before succumbing to a shoulder injury.
G.Allen--SFF
