Coach Tana Umaga says he is unsure if a buyer will save Moana Pasifika, but refuses to give up hope.
World Rugby boss Brett Robinson told journalists on Friday the world governing body won’t bail out Auckland-based Moana, whose ownership group said this month it will cease its funding at the end of the season.
NZ Rugby is hoping another entity will purchase the licence for Moana, which was set up as a professional pathway team for Tongan, Samoan and Cook Island players.
Umaga’s side are out of play-off contention, meaning they may have just four games remaining in what is their fifth season in the competition.
The former All Blacks captain said he hadn’t given up hope of attracting a buyer, in an interview after his last-placed team lost 27-17 to the Highlanders in Christchurch.
“It is tough and it’s obviously something that we can’t get away from,” Umaga told Sky Sport. “We’re a group that talks about it every day.
“There’s always hope and there’s a glimmer of that. There’s interest, but how much?
“For these guys, they’ve got to show their wares out here because who knows what will happen?”
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Umaga said disbanding Moana would remove a professional platform for Pasifika players, which is something he believes the game’s authorities should consider.
However, Robinson said World Rugby invests in strengthening international teams, not professional clubs.
“It’s not our job, our responsibility,” he said.
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Super Rugby chief executive Jack Mesley said there was “not a massive window” of time for Moana Pasifika to be saved.
But he added: “We’re hopeful that someone might step forward and take over that mantle.”
Photo: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
The post Umaga: Glimmer of hope for Moana Pasifika appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach Tana Umaga says he is unsure if a buyer will save Moana Pasifika, but refuses to give up hope.
The post Umaga: Glimmer of hope for Moana Pasifika appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
