Rugby bosses forced to step in as club collapses after Wales legend's exit
The struggling team will be axed at the end of the season
New Zealand rugby bosses have been forced to step in after Super Rugby side Moana Pasifika called in liquidators over the weekend.
It was confirmed last month that the club would fold at the end of the current season and be axed from the competition, with Super Rugby Pacific set to be reduced to 10 teams for the next campaign. In a statement, the team said it is "no longer viable to continue the franchise at this level of competition" due to the "financial, operational and strategic realities".
On Sunday, it was confirmed that the Auckland-based franchise - who sit bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific table with just five points to their name - had moved to appoint Teneo Financial Advisory as liquidators, with investors the Pasifika Medical Association announcing that they could no longer fund the side.
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"The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) can no longer continue funding Moana Pasifika," a statement read. "The boards of directors of both PMA and Moana Pasifika have resolved to appoint liquidators.
"We are proud to have supported the franchise over the past two years and are deeply disappointed to have reached this point.
"We acknowledge the dedication of the players, staff, and supporters, and we sincerely thank everyone who has been part of the Moana Pasifika journey."
Tana Umaga's side are due to play the Brumbies in Canberra this weekend in the final round of regular season fixtures but, with the funding tap turned off, there has been doubt over whether the game could go ahead. Win free tickets to watch Fiji v Wales in Cardiff this summer.
However, it is believed that the governing body, New Zealand Rugby, has intervened to fund the salaries of players and staff, as well as other associated costs in order for the game to go ahead and avoid a breach of any broadcast agreements.
The sad development comes six months after former Wales captain Stephen Jones was granted an early release from his contract with Moana Pasifika to take up a role with PREM Rugby side Newcastle Red Bulls.
The former fly-half, who won 104 international caps, moved to New Zealand ahead of the 2024 season after being appointed to All Blacks legend Umaga's backroom team as a senior assistant coach.
During his time in Auckland, he played a key role in helping the franchise beat giants such as the Crusaders, Blues, Highlanders and Hurricanes and made a huge impression on staff and player.
"I’ve got a lot of time and respect for him — not just as a rugby coach, but as a person," said Umaga last year. "He's a top-notch person, and I think that's what kind of gravitated myself towards him. We just got on really well, and as usual, it was around a couple of beers that we got to know each other — and he does that well, a lot better than me.
"Also, just in terms of being such a legend in the fly-half position and knowing what he does around that area, his attention to detail — that’s what has impressed me," the head coach added. "Because it's such a big part of the game, and it's probably not a part of the game that comes natural to us.
"That’s not just specific to our Islanders, but as New Zealanders as well. We're very much run and gun. We like the game to get going and moving, trying to keep kicking to a minimum."