Moana Pasifika 2026
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Drua beat MP in the race for Angelo Smith. Maybe Josh Tuala could be MP's next target -
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@Landers92 said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
This can be shifted across to the exodus thread if need be.
There has been a bit of speculation around Ardie Savea taking his sabbatical in 2026 or not.
I have been told he will be taking that sabbatical and heading back to Japan for the 2026 season so will not be available for Moana. This is coming from the same source who provided the Laumape information a week or so before it was announced.
Ardie has confirmed this today on Moana socials
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@Daffy-Jaffy Northland were also looking at Angelo Smith but from what i was told getting a visa sorted was proving to be a massive issue , suspect Moana may have passed on Smith for the very same reason
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@Trig said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
If Murphy Taramai is returning to Harbour, is he a potential signing for Moana?
Hope not, but not a bad theory.
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@African-Monkey With Savea, Sione Havili, Lotu Inisi, and Alamanda Motuga all leaving, I wouldn't be surprised to see Moana looking to bring in an experienced option to the loose forwards. This will probably be their area to focus on for recruiting with Miracle and Semisi Tupou Taeiloa the only stand out players left.
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Exclusive: Claims NZR tried to discourage Ardie Savea joining Moana Pasifika
Investigation reveals financial hurdles and resistance the star overcame to lead Moana.
A premium article but the major 'revelation' is:
The Herald understands NZR voiced concerns that by joining Moana, Savea would become a less effective player; that his game would go backwards in an inferior programme and that he would, as a result, not be fit-for-purpose for the All Blacks.
It is understood these fears, and a lack of trust, led to Savea being presented with two contract options.
The first involved a guaranteed All Blacks top-up – the significant six-figure payment NZR makes to leading New Zealand players beyond their Super Rugby salaries – with the Hurricanes.
The second, should he join Moana, stipulated a portion of his All Blacks top-up was deemed “at risk” with key performance indicators to determine whether he would receive his full salary.
“They were stinging up to 20% of his total retainer,” the source familiar with negotiations told the Herald. “The quantum remained the same but they built in at-risk components.”
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@Mr-Fish said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
Exclusive: Claims NZR tried to discourage Ardie Savea joining Moana Pasifika
Investigation reveals financial hurdles and resistance the star overcame to lead Moana.
A premium article but the major 'revelation' is:
The Herald understands NZR voiced concerns that by joining Moana, Savea would become a less effective player; that his game would go backwards in an inferior programme and that he would, as a result, not be fit-for-purpose for the All Blacks.
It is understood these fears, and a lack of trust, led to Savea being presented with two contract options.
The first involved a guaranteed All Blacks top-up – the significant six-figure payment NZR makes to leading New Zealand players beyond their Super Rugby salaries – with the Hurricanes.
The second, should he join Moana, stipulated a portion of his All Blacks top-up was deemed “at risk” with key performance indicators to determine whether he would receive his full salary.
“They were stinging up to 20% of his total retainer,” the source familiar with negotiations told the Herald. “The quantum remained the same but they built in at-risk components.”
Seems they encouraged him to be better. Oh the horror.
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Makes one wonder if the Canes don't have superior training and conditioning to Moana?!
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In three of those years, PMA used the Whānau Ora contract to directly bolster Moana Pasifika’s finances, by $770,000 per annum in 2022/23 and in 2023/24.
The use of Whānau Ora funds for a professional rugby team is quietly contentious, especially among Pasifika health service providers, though none spoke to the Herald for attribution.
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The new version of the contract carries more stringent requirements to measure the benefits that the money buys; the rugby team and its benefits would need to stack up against more bread-and-butter health and wellness services such as medical clinics, infant inoculations, education, and training.
You mean, like, actual health outcomes?
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@nostrildamus said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
Makes one wonder if the Canes don't have superior training and conditioning to Moana?!
The Canes have the best facilities in the country, fitness hasn’t been an issue.
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MP's best hope is the relative success of this season and the feel good vibes around the team will entice a independent investor to secure their future, as opposed to leaning on a charity diverting funds from the community the team represents to instead prop up 38 almost-professional rugby players
