Moana Pasifika 2026
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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
