'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
What a load of bollocks. The author has forgotten to mention the fact that the Crusaders have a huge injury toll with top world class players out. Not to mention the fact that they are obviously in a transition period. No this will not spark a slow death for NZ rugby, but it does mean there will be a new Super Rugby champion. Anyone who knows anything about NZ rugby knows that there is some serious talent here, it just isn’t all at the Crusaders.
1 Go to commentsI wouldn’t spend the time on Nawaqanitawase! No point in having him filling in a jersey when he’s committed to leave Union. Give the jersey to a young prospect who will be here in the future.
4 Go to commentsIt was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
4 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to comments