‘Glimmer of hope’ fuels Moana Pasifika as they play through the pain in Super Rugby Pacific
Sunday, 3 May 2026
Moana Pasifika are clinging to a “glimmer of hope” as they face the final throes of a challenging last month in Super Rugby Pacific with as much pride, resistance, dignity and fighting spirit as they can muster.
Moana played, in all probability, their final crosstown derby against the Blues on Saturday night at North Harbour Stadium, beaten 45-19, seven tries to three, after trailing just 14-12 at the end of a fiercely contested first half.
With the organisation announcing this was to be their last season in Super Rugby Pacific because of overwhelming financial challenges, and discussions going on behind closed doors about longshot rescue packages, these are difficult times indeed for a club that strikes to the very heart of its people.
Coach Tana Umaga, who had already been confirmed as moving on to an All Blacks assistant role at season end, spoke after Saturday night’s 10th defeat on the bounce about the immensely difficult circumstances his players and staff face as they head towards what is likely the final three matches of their existence.
But he also confirmed that they had not given up on a lifeline being thrown their way as concerned parties beavered away in the background to try to save this club, and the livelihood that it offers for players and management.
Umaga said it was a “shame” for rugby if this was indeed the last crosstown battle between Moana and the Blues, even if he had gone on the record earlier this season accusing the Auckland franchise of “not wanting us here”.
“We don’t want it to go that way,” said the former All Blacks captain and soon-to-be defence coach. “That’s our feeling. There are people deciding that above us. Circumstances happen. We understand running a [professional] rugby club is tough.
“You can be angry at everyone, but it’s probably not going to help what we’re doing. We know people are still fighting for us. There is a glimmer of hope. It’s only a glimmer, but at least it’s something. Yet the day to day, for our players and staff, is what we focus on. We know everyone is trying their best to keep the movement going.
“For us to come to work every day … I see the strain that’s on our players, our staff’s faces, when they come and there’s uncertainty. They just go about their business. They do the job they signed up for, and I’m really thankful they do that because that’s all we can do. Then we just keep checking in on each other, and that’s the most important thing.”
Asked about the “glimmer of hope” he referenced, Umaga replied, “you’ll have to talk to someone else about that”, but indicated all hope was not quite lost.
“Everyone is fighting for something. Hopefully they’re having those discussions. That’s what we’ve been told. We talk about faith all the time, and you’ve just got to keep that faith and hopefully it comes through for us.”
Given the extraordinary circumstances, Umaga said he was rapt his players had managed 40 outstanding minutes against the second-placed Blues as they went toe to toe for the opening half, with two tries apiece. They could not sustain that effort after the break, as the Blues cruised to victory behind five tries over the run home.
Asked if a sense of anger was part of the emotions he was working through, Umaga offered an insight into the daily challenges his side faced.
“There are a multitude of emotions going through us every day of the week,” he responded. “The boys talk about the uncertainty. Everyone is as united and connected as we can. It’s tough when you don’t know what the future looks like, and possibly what next week looks like. A lot of people are scrambling. They’ve got families to feed.
“Anger? Sure, there’s some of that as well. One thing we can control is when we come to work every day our boys are very resilient. I take my hat off to them … we just leave all that baggage at the door and when we come in here we keep the faith in what we do, we look after our people, make sure we check in, and then we just focus on trying to play rugby.
“It gives us a little bit of respite from what’s going on around us. It may be only a couple of hours a day, but that’s an important couple of hours when we can just go back to what we love doing. That’s have a bit of fun together – the Pasifika way. There’s anger outside, but we always seem to have a bit of a laugh when we’re together.”
Moana skipper Miracle Faiilagi, who should have the suitors queued up for his services, admitted it was a difficult time as a player with so much uncertainty around, and said he was doing his best to lead his men through the quagmire of emotions.
“There’s a lot of noise outside this organisation, but we cling to our faith,” he said. “We leave everything to God, and whatever we pray for. We just do our job and turn up and train every day.”
Did he feel let down?
“In this group we have a big purpose just turning up every week. We’re islanders , Polynesian people, and we talk about our ancestors that came through, from nothing to something, just to take the opportunity. There are no excuses. We turn up knowing nothing is going to stop us doing what we love to do, and that’s playing rugby.”
The road gets no easier. Up next are the high-flying Hurricanes back at North Harbour Stadium next Saturday.
At North Harbour Stadium, Auckland: Blues 45 (Marcel Renata try 24min, Kade Banks try 39min, Patrick Tuipulotu try 41min, James Mullan try 48min, Stephen Perofeta try 58min, Beauden Barrett try 67min, Terrell Peita try 77min; Perofeta 4 cons, Barrett con), Moana Pasifika 19 (Millennium Sanerivi 2 tries 14min, 35min, Chris Apoua try 72min; William Havili 2 cons). HT: 14-12.