Moana Pasifika announced today it will withdraw from Super Rugby Pacific at the end of the 2026 season, citing a combination of financial, operational and strategic challenges that the franchise says have made continuing at the elite professional level unsustainable.
In a brief statement released by the club, Chair Dr Kiki Maoate called the decision “heartbreaking,” praising the contribution of players, coaches, staff and supporters during the franchise’s five years of competition. “This has been an agonising decision for everyone involved,” Dr Maoate said. “Our priority now is to ensure a smooth and responsible transition for those affected while we remain fully committed to finishing the 2026 season strongly.”
The franchise attributed the withdrawal to an inability to reconcile rising costs and operational demands with a long-term strategic plan that supports elite-level rugby from the Pacific. Moana Pasifika said those pressures have reached a point where persisting would risk the organisation’s viability and the welfare of people within it.
While the announcement marks the end of Moana Pasifika’s participation in Super Rugby Pacific after 2026, the statement offered limited detail on specifics such as the future of contracts, player pathways or the franchise’s Super Rugby licence. The club said it would work to manage staff and player transitions and to support community partners and fans through the wind-down phase, but did not set a timetable for those arrangements.
Moana Pasifika’s exit will be felt across Pacific rugby communities that have regarded the side as an important pathway for island talent onto the professional stage. Supporters and stakeholders in Fiji and the wider Pacific have consistently pointed to the franchise as a vehicle for showcasing Pacific playing styles and producing opportunities for players from the region. The club’s leadership stressed its gratitude to those who backed the team since inception and underlined an intent to preserve the positive legacy established over the past five years.
The franchise said its immediate focus is on preparing for the 2026 season and ensuring competitive performances for fans and partners. The club pledged to communicate further details in coming weeks as it implements transition plans and consults with players, staff and governing bodies. For now, Moana Pasifika’s announcement closes a significant chapter for Pacific representation in Super Rugby Pacific and raises questions about the future structure of the competition and pathways for Pacific players beyond 2026.
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