Super Rugby Pacific: Moana Pasifika abandon plans to host Chiefs in Tonga

Moana Pasifika chief executive Debbie Sorensen says the team is heartbroken after being forced to scrap a home game in Tonga for a second straight year.

The Super Rugby side had planned to play their round nine clash against the Chiefs at Teufaiva Sport Stadium in Nuku’alofa on April 11.

However, those plans have been abandoned due to a lack of funding and sponsorship.

Instead the match will take place in Pukekohe or Rotorua, with the former appearing the most likely option.

Sorensen said Moana Pasifika taking a match to the Islands costs the team between $500,000 - $600,000, with a large chunk of that being used to cover broadcasting equipment.

The club had been speaking to numerous sponsors to help cover the costs, but couldn’t get a deal over the line.

“We’re very sad because we are absolutely committed to bringing games to the Pacific,” Sorensen told Newstalk ZB.

“We’ve taken a game to Tonga previously, we’ve taken a game to Samoa and we believe quite passionately that this should be part of the Super Rugby fixture, but we’re unable to do it this year just in terms of the economic consequences for us as a club.”

Sorensen confirmed that Moana Pasifika are determined to make playing in the islands a regular fixture.

Tonga Rugby Union chief executive Aisea Aholelei said it was unfortunate Moana Pasifika could not make it to Tonga.

“Moana is in very similar circumstances to Tonga Rugby Union,” Aholelei said.

“Whenever we want to play a game here in Tonga, it’s always a loss-making exercise unless a significant sponsor comes our way.”

Moana Pasifika had wanted to play in Tonga last year, also against the Chiefs, but floodlight installation delays forced the game to be switched to Pukekohe.

Moana Pasifika currently sit seventh on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder after two rounds. They began their season with an upset win over the Fijian Drua in Lautoka, before being thumped by the Hurricanes in Wellington.