–New Zealand Rugby (NZR) board members Caren Rangi and former All Black Keven Mealamu have spoken publicly following the decision to remove Moana Pasifika from next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Speaking on Pacific Mornings, both described the decision as devastating for the Pacific community, with Rangi calling it “gutting” and Mealamu saying he was personally devastated.
“I think my initial reaction is… we’re gutted that we’re not able to see Moana Pasifika in our competition next year.”
But Mealamu argued ignoring the franchise’s financial reality would have been irresponsible.
“I understand what the public are saying,” he said. “But it would be irresponsible of us if we were to allow Moana Pasifika to be here next year and not the year after. We’re trying to build resilience.’
Rangi and Mealamu confirmed they were involved in the decision-making process and stood behind the board’s position.
“We’re really clear that we represent the views of our whole board. And this is some of the responsibilities of governance, right? It’s making the hard decisions,” said Rangi.
Moana Pasifika entered liquidation in May with debts of $8.2 million (US$4.63 million) after former owners the Pasifika Medical Association could no longer fund the franchise. NZR says it explored multiple rescue options, but none met the financial and commercial requirements needed to secure the licence.
Rangi said the board’s immediate priority was protecting players and their families, with NZR covering the franchise’s payroll through to July.
‘These are people’s livelihoods. We don’t want to be in this situation again,” she said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has criticised New Zealand Rugby’s handling of the process, arguing there was insufficient time to assemble a rescue package.
The Minister had instructed his officials to engage with NZR to find a viable way forward.
‘They only came to me three weeks ago and that’s very little time to try and organise something that big,” Peters told Pacific Mornings.
Peters said he believed potential investors from New Zealand and overseas were interested in backing the franchise, but the timeline made it difficult to put together a viable proposal before NZR reached its decision.
“We just didn’t have the time,” he said.
Peters also questioned the financial figures involved, claiming his office had been working on a $12 million (US$6.77 million) rescue package before being told the required figure was $17.5 million (US$9.88 million).
“The Rugby Union in this country has not covered itself with glory,” he told Pacific Mornings.
Despite the setback, New Zealand Rugby Players Association chief executive Rob Nichol urged young Pacific players not to lose hope.
“The message to the kids is keep believing,” Nichol told Pacific Mornings. “Moana Pasifika and what it stands for is not going to go away.”
Nichol said establishing a professional rugby franchise within a matter of weeks had always been a difficult challenge.
‘With a reset, a recommitment and a rethink around the process, maybe that’s the blessing here,” he told Pacific Mornings.
While Moana Pasifika’s place in Super Rugby Pacific is gone for 2027, Rangi and Mealamu say the door remains open for a future Pacific franchise should a sustainable long-term model emerge, with discussions now focused on what a return beyond 2027 could look like.
