Moana Pasifika decision expected within weeks as a Sāmoa and Tonga rescue plan takes shape

A decision on Moana Pasifika's future could be made within weeks as discussions continue over a new Sāmoa and Tonga-led plan to save the troubled Super Rugby franchise.

The New Zealand Rugby Players Association says work has been underway for months on a proposal that could return the team to its original purpose of supporting rugby pathways in Sāmoa and Tonga.

The discussions come after Moana Pasifika announced in April that it planned to fold at the end of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Last week, the franchise was placed into liquidation, with a report released this week showing debts of more than $8 million.

In an interview with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Rob Nichol, chief executive of the players association, said the future of the Moana Pasifika franchise should become clearer soon.

"There's been a lot of work going on in the last two to three months around a business plan and an option for the licence to end up in the hands, effectively, of Samoa and Tonga and move forward on that basis," Nichol said.

"Whether that happens or not, we're going to find out in the next few weeks."

The liquidation process has returned the licence to New Zealand Rugby, ending the franchise's existing ownership structure with Pasifika Medical Association (PMA). Discussions will continue over who could take control of the franchise's next chapter.

Despite the financial challenges, Nichol believes there remains a strong future for the club. "It's a fantastic, wonderful celebration of Pasifika culture through rugby, and it's resonated really well. I think there's still definitely hope."

Listen to Rob Nichol's full interview below.

Nichol says one of the key lessons from Moana Pasifika's first five years is the need for stronger links with Sāmoa and Tonga, both on and off the field.

Under the proposal being explored, the team could play regular home matches in the islands and help reconnect the franchise with the communities it was created to serve.

"The original plan was always about the team playing home games in Sāmoa and Tonga," Nichol says. "This business plan would see them playing two games in Tonga and two games in Sāmoa each year."

Former All Black Mils Muliaina says there is still a place for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby despite the uncertainty surrounding the club.

"There is a feeling that we do want to make sure Moana Pasifika stay in the competition," he told Terite.

Muliaina says the franchise's emotional win over the Brumbies in Canberra last week showed exactly why the team matters to Pacific rugby.

Moana Pasifika recorded their second win of the season during their final match of Super Rugby Pacific 2026, defeating the Brumbies 21-19 in Canberra last weekend. Photo/Facebook/Super Rugby Pacific

"The emotion that was shown behind that win in Canberra and a hard place to go and win. And for Moana to go over there and do what they did and finish the season off on a high was spectacular."

Muliaina also believes the team's future should be more closely connected to the Pacific Islands.

"I think it's a necessity that we have a team in the islands rather than trying to find a base in New Zealand."

Tuilagi William Leolahi, PMN's Pacific Huddle host, says the liquidation report, while concerning, at least provides clarity for potential investors considering the franchise's future.

"I think the $8.2 million coming out, hopefully it doesn't scare any of the investors because this is the thing that everybody was waiting for, was to get clarity in terms of where the actual club is lying right now," Tuilagi told Terite.

Tuilagi says there is still a long way to go before the future of the club is settled.

Watch Mils Muliaina and listen to Tuilagi William Leolahi's full interview below.

"I think this is only the beginning. The liquidation is still going through the process, and it'll be interesting to see what else comes out of this."

While discussions continue off the field, attention now turns to this weekend's Super Rugby Pacific playoffs.

The Hurricanes host the Brumbies in Wellington on Friday night while the Crusaders face the Blues in Christchurch and the Chiefs take on the Queensland Reds in Hamilton on Saturday.

Both Muliaina and Tuilagi expect the New Zealand teams to advance and they have predicted an all-New Zealand semi-final line-up.

But for many Pacific rugby fans, the biggest result over the coming weeks may not happen on the field at all. It will be whether Moana Pasifika can secure a future and return to the Pacific roots on which the franchise was built.

For more details on the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, click here.