 | ||
| Union | New Zealand Rugby | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 | |
| Ground(s) | Mt Smart Stadium (Capacity: 30,000) | |
| Coach(es) | Tana Umaga | |
| Captain(s) | James Lay | |
| League(s) | Super Rugby Pacific | |
| 2024 | 11th overall | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| moanapasifika | ||
Moana Pasifika is a rugby union team made up of players from various Pacific Island nations as well as New Zealand or Australian born players of Pasifika heritage, including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands.
The team was originally created for a one-off match against the Māori All Blacks in December 2020, with the future intention of trying to join the Super Rugby competition.
On 14 April 2021, New Zealand Rugby confirmed the side had been granted a conditional licence to join the Super Rugby competition.[1]
On 12 July 2021, the team was granted an unconditional licence, confirming them for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.[2]
The team played its inaugural Super Rugby match on 4 March 2022.
- ^ "Next steps in Pacific Island professional teams journey confirmed by NZ Rugby" (Press release). All Blacks. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Moana Pasifika granted unconditional licence". Super Rugby NZ. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.