'That is not something NZR can handle': Kanaloa Pasifika boss hits out after missing out on Super Rugby spot
Kanaloa Pasifika chief executive Tracey Atiga has hit out at New Zealand Rugby [NZR] over her franchise’s failed bid to enter next year’s new Super Rugby competition.
Expansion franchises Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua were last month granted conditional entry into the new-look competition that will also feature the 10 Super Rugby franchises from New Zealand and Australia.
The induction of both teams was widely celebrated as significant boost for rugby in the Pacific Islands, but Atiga isn’t happy with the way in which her franchise missed out on a place in the competition to Moana Pasifika.
Atiga alleges Kanaloa Pasifika were told by NZR that the only way they would be allowed entry into the new Super Rugby competition was if they merged with Moana Pasifika.
Moana Pasifika has been backed by Sir Michael Jones and Sir Bryan Williams, both of whom were NZR board members at the time of the franchise’s induction into Super Rugby, as well as New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association [NZRPA] boss Rob Nichol.
Kanaloa Pasifika last year issued a formal complaint with NZR as Atiga claimed the involvement of two NZR employees in Moana Pasifika’s inclusion in Super Rugby was a conflict of interest.
At the time, she added that Kanaloa Pasifika, unlike Moana Pasifika, submitted a full application and met all the conditions of the bidding process, but were ultimately declined a place in the competition.
Speaking to ABC‘s Pacific Beat earlier this week, Atiga claimed Kanaloa Pasifika missed out on a place in Super Rugby because she believed NZR couldn’t “handle” the prospect of an independent Pacific-based franchise.
“New Zealand Rugby tried very hard for two months to pressure Kanaloa to merge with Moana Pasifika,” Atiga said.
“We said absolutely not. We’re a standalone entity, we have nothing to do with New Zealand Rugby, Rugby Australia or World Rugby, we can manage our own investors, we can manage our own investment, we can manage our own players.
“New Zealand Rugby didn’t want a bar of that, and the reason why it would be a lose-lose for New Zealand Rugby is because if we’d been given a licence, then those players would be completely independent of New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia.
“That is not something New Zealand Rugby can handle.”
Moana Pasifika have come under criticism in recent weeks with Pacific rugby leaders, with Pacific Rugby Welfare boss Daniel Leo citing concerns that the franchise could become “NZ’s 6th Super team”.
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 @WorldRugby https://t.co/fWTPYCschM
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) April 16, 2021
Worries over whether the new side is being formed to serve NZR’s best interests rather than help develop the Samoan and Tongan national sides have been accentuated by the appointments of former NZR and NZRPA employees in various positions at Moana Pasifka.
One of those former employees is ex-All Blacks halfback Kevin Senio, who left his role as NZRPA player services manager to become Moana Pasifika’s director of rugby.
Senio told Sky Sport‘s The Breakdown last month that 80 percent of Moana Pasifika’s 38-man playing squad will need to be capped or eligible to play for any of the Pacific Island nations at test level.
That would leave room for around eight players who are ineligible to play for the likes of Samoa and Tonga to be contracted by Moana Pasifika.
Senio clarified to ABC that those eight ineligible players are likely to be overseas-based Pasifika players who have been capped by other countries and can add experience to the playing group.
However, Atiga claimed Kanaloa Pasifika would have fielded a team comprised entirely of players from Pacific Island nations.
“The truth is, Kanaloa, we came through with 100 percent players from Pacific Island nations and it was always our pledge that we would do that,” she told ABC.
“It was actually New Zealand Rugby that turned us away and said they wouldn’t grant us a licence with 100 percent Pacific Island nations players.
“What you’ve got here is a group that’s quite happy to provide that 20 percent to New Zealand Rugby for the picking.”
Atiga also took aim at the appointment of Senio as Moana Pasifika’s director of rugby despite his lack of experience in such a role.
“I”l tell you right now, when you’ve got someone like Kevin Senio, who was a staff member of the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association, stepping straight into a role as general manager with no background or history as a general manager of any franchise in the past, you’ve got real concerns.”
The Chiefs must overcome a daunting proposition that no other team in history has achieved if they are to claim their first title in eight years on Saturday. #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/4PEp0akZfE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 8, 2021
Despite her issues surrounding the involvement of Moana Pasifika, Atiga had no reservations about the inclusion of the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby.
The Drua competed in the now-defunct National Rugby Championship in Australia between 2017 and 2019, winning the competition in 2018.
The side was operated by the Fijian Rugby Union, based out of Fiji and was made up entirely of Fijian players, all of which will be no different when they play in Super Rugby from next year onwards.
Atiga said Kanaloa Pasifika has subsequently offered its investor group to the Drua to help support the franchise as it races against time to prove it is a financially viable outfit to compete in Super Rugby.
“We’ve actually offered our investor group forward to the Drua, the reason being it is a standalone entity, much similar to what Kanaloa had proposed.
“The Drua are looking for private investors to stand up their organisation. I appreciate they’re having a really tough time, and at the end of the day, if it comes down to money, we’re here for them.
“The only issue I think we’re going to have is if Fiji are not able to extend a reach to Tonga and Samoa and the other Pacific Island nations, but, as far as I’m concerned, it’s set-up the right way – separate and independent.”
A deadline of June 30 has been set for both the Drua and Moana Pasifika to show they can generate a minimum of $10m per annum to secure a final sign-off to compete Super Rugby.
For the time being, Atiga said Kanaloa Pasifika will be waiting in the wings should either the Drua or Moana Pasifika fail to meet the requirements of their conditional entry.
“We’ve already been delayed a whole year, but come 30th June, if Moana Pasifika and the Drua have not met the conditions that New Zealand Rugby have put in front of them, I guarantee New Zealand Rugby are going to contact us because the need investors and they need a group that can actually stand up a team,” she said.
“They knew right from the beginning that we were that group.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Skelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
6 Go to commentsSpot on Ben. Dead right. Havili looked great at 10. Easily the highest rugby IQ of any NZ player these days. Getting a kick charged down is a result of getting used to adjusting your depth to the line at 10, which he will sort out with time. But other than that it was an outstanding first effort in that position this year. I think the NZ media has misunderstood this directive from Razor. Havili might rank behind B Barrett this year, but Beuden is 33 this month and won't last much longer. DMaC is great but flaky and not really a test match animal (his efforts in Dunedin versus Aus last year for example). If Razor can't have Mounga, DMaC is too unstructured for Razor (and is just too small for test rugby). Havili will end up our first choice first five, and in partnership with Jodie will be excellent. Two triple threat operators in tandem, and big bodies and tough tacklers to boot. Jordoe will be the ABs goal kicker. I am an Aucklander and Blues (and Warriors) fan, but Havili at 10 is going to be sensational in time… he can be the best first five in the world by the end of this year. No question.
6 Go to commentsSharks deserved to be far further back by the last quarter. Their tackling was awful, their set pieces were disappointing, their defensive organization was poor (especially on the Kok side of the D line), they kept making unnecessary errors, and they never looked like cracking the Clermont defense during those first 60m. Masuku kept them in touch, with some help from the Clermont generosity on penalty opportunities. Agree with the writer of this article. It was belligerence, and ability to raise their pressure game just enough, that turned the last quarter into a Bok-style shutout. Clermont have a reputation of not playing the full 80m, and there was a bit of that for sure. But, quite often when the intensity of a team drops off in the last quarter credit is due to the opponent for tiring them out. At 60m, with the Kok try, you thought that just maybe the game was on. At 70m, with the Mapimpi contribution, one felt that Clermont were fading, while facing a team that would maintain the pressure game through the final whistle. Good win in the end, but the Sharks are still playing way below their potential. And with their resources, and a coach that has had enough time to figure things out, they are running out of excuses.
6 Go to commentsGood riddance
1 Go to commentswel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
6 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
6 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
6 Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
6 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
6 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
6 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
6 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
238 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to comments