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Have NZ lost Pacific Super Rugby side to Australia?: 'I would do anything to get this across the line'
Such is the passion for Moana Pasifika to play in Super Rugby next year that the option of lifting the team from South Auckland and basing it in Australia to play there will come under consideration this week.
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Backed by legendary figures of the game such as Sir Bryan Williams and Sir Michael Jones, Moana Pasifika is reeling at being told their star-studded lineup, world-class coaching team and business plan which had them breaking even in year one, has been rejected by New Zealand Rugby.
Williams, speaking to the Herald from his 70th birthday celebrations, said the last few days have hurt — not just because the proposal was rejected but because he and others feel it was never properly or fairly assessed.
Having campaigned for Pasifika’s inclusion in Super Rugby since the formation of the competition in 1995 when he was head coach of Manu Samoa, Williams has made it clear he will consider anything and everything to achieve his goal.
And that may include rescoping the bid to shift the team from their proposed base in South Auckland to Western Sydney and play in the Australian Super Rugby competition.
“It’s something that our particular group hasn’t considered but, by the same token, if it came to that, quite frankly, I would do anything to get this across the line.
“If that is what it takes … I am 70 years old today and I want to see it in my lifetime because I have been really disappointed in the last few days and I hope things get better.
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“We believe we put up a thoroughly professional proposition and bid to NZR. Deloitte had completed a report, a feasibility study that contained more than 100 pages of cost analysis, possible teams and coaching teams.
“I guess we are just really disappointed by NZR that they said Pasifika didn’t front up. That we couldn’t show we had a competitive rugby team or the commercial wherewithal to put it together. We are a bit flabbergasted by that, to be honest.”
NZR said neither Pasifika Moana nor Kanaloa Pasifika were strong enough either on or off the field.
Williams, who is attached to the Pasifika Moana bid, says he doesn’t feel NZR have properly assessed the proposal as there were significant numbers of test players on the roster and the financials had the team breaking even in year one.
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“I really don’t feel they have,” says Williams on whether NZR have given Pasifika Moana a fair hearing. “There are some kids out there who no one has ever heard of but we have heard of because we work in those circles. Take Tupou Vaa’i, the current All Black as a classic example. Given the opportunity to play in that sort of environment with the sort of coaching teams that we think we can put together, it would really enhance the progress of the many Polynesian players who are out there.
“One of the criteria NZR put up was that this team had to be competitive from day one. And then in the next breath they were stating we were up against the five best clubs in the world so you think … is that achievable on day one?
“It’s probably not achievable on day one but it might be on day 14 … who knows? I just feel we haven’t been given a suitable opportunity.”
Although the assessment of the relative strengths of a playing roster is subjective and open to debate, what has disappointed Williams more is the dismissal of the business plan which Moana presented.
On any objective measurement it stacked up, he says.
“Here we have NZR announcing they are going to make losses of $100 million and we are expected to go into an environment and suddenly make a profit. How realistic is that? It’s unrealistic and cruel.
“But we have done our sums for 2021 and we know how much it is going to cost and we know we can break even in year one. That’s in our bid and we showed them that.
“The year one proposal was a partnership. We wanted New Zealand Rugby to come on board, Sky Television, the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association and quite frankly we haven’t really gone out to possible investors because we think we can stand it up anyway.
“Once we get the go-ahead I have got no doubt there will be investors available, we have been collaborating with one of the other groups and we are confident we can do that, but it has fallen on deaf ears.
“NZR has got lots if balls in the air and they are not getting a great deal right at the moment.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Loose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
9 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
1 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
9 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
9 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
19 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to commentsWhen you look at Australian Rugby you can see the talent coming through. There’s young players everywhere. They have the makings of a strong Wallaby team for years to come if they trust their young players. There might be some short term pain but after 30 or 40 caps together a Wallaby group comprised of the current youngsters will really be top class. It seems like the threat of going under has focused the Rebels both on and off the field. They are having a go like a team with nothing to lose and winning back the fans whilst silencing their detractors. Its funny how an existential threat can spur a team on to new highs. Taking rugby back to the communities will help to build support and create a true team for the community and one rooted into it. It may just work and save the Rebels and if they can get the financing then maybe let them have a go at reinvention. I do feel though that Australian Rugby has one too many franchises. If the Rebels die all these solid young players get infused into other franchises who will have more money, depth and resources. It would make the Australian Rugby franchises so much stronger and they may come to achieve parity with the best franchises from NZ. Super Rugby is throwing up some really entertaining games. Not too much good defence but certainly high pace, try scoring magic on display. Melbourne are no exception to this.
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