Moana Pasifika’s future may not be over yet.
Chief executive Debbie Sorensen says there is still hope the club can survive beyond 2026.
She said new interest is emerging behind the scenes as the search for investors gathers pace.
Sorensen’s comments come after the club’s announcement earlier on Wednesday that Moana Pasifika will exit Super Rugby Pacific after the 2026 season.
The club says it is leaving the competition due to ongoing financial pressures and the inability to sustainably fund the franchise beyond the 2026 season.
New Zealand Rugby says it is disappointed by the decision and remains open to engaging with any parties interested in keeping Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific.
Speaking to PMN, Sorensen said going public with the club’s financial situation has already started to open doors.
“Don’t give up yet, that there will be a place for Moana,” she told PMN. “It can. Yes, I think it can. And we are considering, you know, all options.
“One of the real advantages in going out publicly and saying, this is the situation that we’re in, actually allows others who mightn’t have thought about it before, but might want to actually invest in the franchise.”
While no formal offers have been made yet, she confirmed work is happening in the background.
“No one has spoken to us directly, but we understand that there is work being undertaken behind the scenes with various parties.
“That work should, and those parties should emerge over the next week or so, I would think.”
The update comes just hours after the club confirmed it would disband at the end of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season due to financial pressures.
But Sorensen made clear that the outcome is based on the current situation, not a closed door.
“When we say that, what we mean is under the current kind of situation, we wouldn’t be able to field a team next year. And there might be all sorts of other scenarios.”
She said any rescue would require serious backing, with the cost of running a Super Rugby franchise sitting between $10 million (US$5.91 million) and $12 million (US$7 million) a year.
“If someone was to take the franchise, they’d need to come with money.”
But Sorensen stressed money alone is not enough, the identity of the team must remain Pacific.
“If we really wanted to continue the movement, then having Pasifika people involved in another organisation that might come forward is really important.”
“The essence of who we are is that we’re Pacific and that’s not something that anyone else can take away from us.”
For Sorensen, the past five years have proven the value of Moana Pasifika, not just as a rugby team, but as something bigger.
“We’ve demonstrated that we’ve got a product that adds value to the Super Rugby environment, that we bring colour, we bring beauty, and we bring strength and purpose.”
She pointed to the club’s role in creating opportunities for players across the Pacific, highlighting stories of those who may not have reached the professional level without the team.
“It is more than rugby. It is about our families. It’s about hope for the future. It’s about opportunity.”
Despite the uncertainty, Sorensen said the focus remains on supporting players and staff, many of whom are now facing an unclear future.
“Our boys are on a plane in 10 minutes to Sydney… our first responsibility and interest is in the welfare of our players and our staff.”
The team is set to face the Waratahs this weekend as preparations continue amid the off-field turmoil.
For fans and Pacific communities, Sorensen had a clear message: the fight is not over.
“Without our fans, our supporters, our families, our communities and our sponsors, we would never have been able to do five years.
“My message really is to say don’t give up yet.”
As interest builds and conversations begin, the next few weeks could decide whether Moana Pasifika’s story truly ends or enters a new chapter.
