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Tana Umaga left frustrated by short Fiji-to-Wellington turnaround
By Henry Lee at Sky Stadium, Wellington
Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga has provided his honest thoughts on the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific draw after two rounds.
Umaga’s side were superb in round one against the Fijian Drua in Lautoka, where they managed to overcome their Pacific brothers, 40-24.
They then had to travel to Wellington to take on the Hurricanes, who were fresh and ready after a first-round bye, on a six day turnaround.
Moana Pasifika made a number of changes to their lineup and had eight debutants in their matchday 23, giving a number of players opportunities to impress who didn’t play in Lautoka.
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Speaking to media post-match in Wellington, Umaga admitted the Hurricanes were a much better side on the night and were electric with ball in hand.
“Obviously take our hats off for the Hurricanes, they played some great rugby there, and kind of showed us when you can get on the front foot, and they kept the ball alive.
But amidst the chat about the Hurricanes’ performance, Umaga had a bone to pick about the league’s draw system.
“Yeah look we always get it [short turnaround]. We either go to Perth and then we have a short turnaround, or we go to Lautoka and we’ve got a short turnaround, and then we have to travel somewhere else,” Umaga said post-match at Sky Stadium.
“We’re the only team that’s got that kind of two games in a row this year. Everyone else either goes to play away in Lautoka and then comes home and plays at home. We didn’t have that, and it’s not on a short turnaround, so I don’t know why we got that and no one else did.”
Umaga also explained that this isn’t the first time Moana Pasifika has had to do this, saying that he believes no other team has these specific turnarounds from away games far from home.
“This is the third year in a row that that’s happened to us, and yes, we are taking note about it, and so hopefully, maybe next year, we might be lucky enough that it won’t happen to us, but I won’t hold my breath.
“So I thought I’d try something else this year, and probably the idea would be just to have a bit longer so our guys can recover, and then who knows what could happen.
“I’m just saying we’re the only team that does this. I’m not saying it’s an unfair system, we just cop it and we’ll do what we have to do and that’s what we did today.”
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