Moana Pasifika out of Super Rugby 2027

Moana Pasifika will not compete in Super Rugby Pacific in 2027 after New Zealand Rugby confirmed that efforts to secure a financial rescue package had failed.

New Zealand Rugby said the franchise would not be part of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season after no party was able to meet the long-term financial requirements needed to keep the team in the competition.

The decision follows months of uncertainty after Moana Pasifika’s owners confirmed earlier this year that they would withdraw from the venture, citing the inability to build a sustainable commercial model.

New Zealand Rugby Confirms Licence Decision

New Zealand Rugby chief financial officer Chris Kinraid said the governing body had explored possible solutions, including interest from several parties, but the required capital and business plan standards were not met.

"Unfortunately, the long-term financial requirements to participate in the competition could not be met," said Kinraid.

Kinraid said the door remained open for a Pacific Islands-based team beyond 2027, adding that a sustainable long-term solution could still be found in future.

"We want to be clear, the door remains open beyond 2027. We firmly believe a team can be based in the Pacific Islands and that a sustainable long-term solution can be found in the future.

The 2027 Super Rugby Pacific competition is now expected to move forward with 10 teams.

Moana Pasifika Financial Struggles Explained

Moana Pasifika were created to provide a top-level pathway for players of Pacific heritage and joined Super Rugby Pacific in 2022. However, the franchise faced challenges around funding, commercial revenue and long-term stability.

The team was based in Auckland and played most of its home games in New Zealand, despite earlier ambitions to stage more fixtures in Samoa and Tonga. In five seasons, Moana Pasifika played only two home matches in the Pacific Islands.

The decision leaves Fijian Drua as the only remaining Super Rugby Pacific side based outside New Zealand and Australia. It also marks another major setback for the competition following the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels in 2024.