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FWC on Sport Nation guide‘We’re Not Giving Up’: Players Association boss backs Moana Pasifika revival
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • June 26th, 2026 8:57 am
Moana Pasifika | Photo: AAP
The New Zealand Rugby Players Association remains determined to find a future for Moana Pasifika beyond 2027, despite the announcement 2026 was its final year in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
NZRPA chief executive Rob Nichol told Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy on Thursday that the organisation is committed to keeping the Pacific dream alive, even if a return is not possible in the immediate future.
“No one wants to see it go.. and we're not giving up on it.
“We know 2027 is not an opportunity. Very short runway to try and pull something off,” Nichol explained.
He however acknowledged there were lessons to be learned from the process that led to Moana Pasifika's demise.
“I think between ourselves and New Zealand Rugby, we could have done better in terms of the process we followed. But reality is it's not going to happen for 2027, but New Zealand Rugby have definitely left the door open for ‘28 and beyond.”
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Nichol said the NZRPA would continue advocating for a pathway that serves Pasifika athletes, in New Zealand and beyond.
“From a players' perspective, we're not going to go away, we're going to keep going because it's a really special team, we think Pasifika have so much to offer and contribute to rugby in the Southern Hemisphere and they need the pathways.”
“We want young Pasifika kids, male and female looking at something that resonates for them and being inspired by it.”
Nichol revealed discussions are already underway about what a future for the franchise could look like.
“It's not going to happen in ‘27, but I'll never say never, and there's already moves afoot to work out how we put it in place, a proper process to look at ‘28.”
Moana Pasifika | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
He also stressed that Moana Pasifika's significance extends well beyond the game, pointing to the cultural identity and sense of belonging the franchise has created for Pasifika communities.
“Moana Pasifika, it's more than a rugby team. It's kind of got itself out there and it stands for something that's pretty special around Pasifika culture and identity and just a sense of belonging and connection it creates to the players that are a part of us.
“They've had some wonderful coaches go through there. They're part of something really special. They're connected with Pasifika, not just in New Zealand and Samoa and Tonga, but the dysphoria around the world.”
Listen to the full interview below:
