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'Kept in dark' - Moana Pasifika must not become puppet team for NZR

Highlanders loose forward Peseta Marino Mikaele-Tu'u representing Moana Pasifika. Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Pacific Rugby Players Welfare chief Dan Leo has said players and unions from Moana Pasifika have told him that they have been “kept in the dark as to the details,” after they and Fijian Drua were granted conditional licences to join a planned new professional competition next year.

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New Zealand Rugby announced on Wednesday the latest step towards including two new teams to the five in Super Rugby Aotearoa and five in Super Rugby AU.

Leo offered his take on this announcement on Twitter, saying he has “every faith in Fiji Drua being run well and benefitting Fiji.” This is expected as the team have already proven themselves since their establishment in 2017 by winning Australian National Rugby Championship in 2018.

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On the other hand, he is less confident about Moana Pasifika.

“My 2 cents on P.I Super Teams,” the former Samoa international wrote. “Got every faith in Fiji Drua being run well & benefitting Fiji rugby & Fiji.

“Less so “Moana Pasifika”. Senior Poly (Sam & Tongan) players & Island unions contacting me saying they’ve been kept in dark as to details doesn’t inspire confidence.”

“Already 2 NZRugby Board members on Moana’s committee & hearing a NZRPA employee being lined up as Moana Director of Rugby. Lots of room for conflict of interest. Very little consultation with SAMOA & TONGA.”

“Need to make sure Moana doesn’t become NZs 6th Super Team”

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Leo went on to explain that, as he understands, the unions are not aware of how the team will operate in terms of where they play and which players will be eligible to represent Moana Pasifika. The team played their first-ever match last December, losing 28-21 to the Maori All Blacks in Hamilton, but that team comprised of and was coached by New Zealand Rugby-contracted staff.

Moana Pasifika Steering Committee Co-Chair and CEO of the Pacific Business Trust Pelenato Sakalia said: “We are excited to finally be so close to bringing the dream to reality, but there is still hard work to do, and we cannot afford to miss the moment.

“This decision on a licence enables Moana Pasifika to proceed with confidence and complete a number of financial obligations to sign off in the coming weeks, and formalise our player, coach and staff recruitment.”

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H
Hellhound 2 hours ago
Bok rule-benders are changing the game. They deserve respect

You want a lot of things that will never happen. You describe rugby League. You should go and watch that then. Rugby is supposed to be competitive. It's the opposition team that should figure out how to defend and turn it into an attack on the fly. The Boks play within the rules. Everyone says that kick off should have been a penalty. The law state that from a kick off it's a scrum. It's confusing as with mauls and rucks, the player has to be behind the kicker. The same does not hold true for kick offs. That law they can change, because the same rule should apply across the board for players to be behind the kicker. It's not the first time that the infield lineout has been used, only the first time in an international match. If I remember correctly, the Barbarians used it against England in 2021 or 2022 (under correction). It's also been used in SR during the 2000’s. There is just this big hoo haw because the Boks did it. If it was another team like the Irish or England or the French or someone, it would be innovative, genius and brilliant. The dummy the AB's did where a player broke to the right, acting like he had the ball, meanwhile the scrumhalfs ran down the sideline and scored. I don't hear you cry about that. That can be seen as cynical play and there is even a case for unsportsmanlike behaviour and at a minimum a yellow card. Yet there is silence from you about that. I on the other hand thought that was a great tactic. It's also not a new invention, but an old one. You only love rugby when it suits you. I don't care what new tactics teams use, or whoever the team is that is doing it. Every new invention or tactic or play that the coaches comes up with is great for rugby. It keeps it interesting. There is no law that prevents other coaches using the same tactics or create their own. It's up to coaches to come up with defense strategies to cut that down, and even retaliate against it. The game is never boring. It keeps evolving. People keep talking about rugby and all these things is what draw new fans. They don't want boring. They want innovative and fun. They want to hear the crash of bodies. They want to see the strength of the scrums. They want to see the speed, agility and flair of the players. The amazing passes and jukes or side steps. The only reason you are so up in arms is because the Boks did it and now you want it banned. The same rhyme over and over. Matt Williams wannabe. Nah, you don't love rugby or else you would enjoy the most exciting era yet in this lovely sport. Stars in so many national teams has never been more abundant nor was there so many teams that could beat each other on any given day. Not to even mention watching an era of the most controversial but most innovative and clever coach ever. A dynasty that's to last for a very long time even after he retires. Like him or hate him, his genius is undeniable and he is recognised world wide as the best coach in most countries by fans and pundits alike, even if they don't like him. Stop the hate and rather enjoy what's to come.

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