Moana Pasifika will lose its owners’ funding after the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, likely forcing the franchise to fold, coach Tana Umaga said.

The loss matters because the team provides the only professional pathway for Samoan and Tongan players to stay in union. Without that bridge, athletes may switch codes, weakening the depth of both nations’ test sides and eroding a key cultural link between the Pacific islands and the sport.

Owners have concluded the operation is financially unviable and will stop funding after the 2026 season[1]. The decision follows a series of low‑attendance matches and rising operational costs that, according to internal reports, cannot be covered by sponsorship and ticket revenue alone.

Umaga said the funding cut "creates a vacuum that will be filled by rugby league clubs eager to snap up our best players." Umaga said the Pacific islands risk becoming a talent‑export pipeline rather than a competitive force in union. Without a professional franchise, Pacific talent will drift to league.

Rugby league’s expansion into Australia and the Pacific has intensified competition for athletes. Clubs in the NRL and Super League have already signed former Moana Pasifika players, offering higher salaries and clearer career progression. The shift could tilt the balance of power in international rugby, leaving Samoa and Tonga with smaller squads and fewer experienced players.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has pledged to explore alternative development programs, but no concrete plan exists yet. Players currently under contract with Moana Pasifika face uncertain futures, and many may seek opportunities overseas or in league competitions.

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**What this means**: The withdrawal of funding ends a crucial professional outlet for Pacific island rugby talent, likely accelerating a migration to rugby league. The move could diminish the competitiveness of Samoa and Tonga on the world stage, while prompting the governing bodies to devise new pathways to retain union players in the region.

“Without a Super Rugby franchise, Pacific talent will drift to league.”

The funding cut removes the primary professional platform for Samoan and Tongan players, pushing them toward rugby league and potentially weakening the islands’ national union teams, which could alter the competitive landscape of international rugby.