Former Wallabies captain Will Genia has called the disbandment of Moana Pasifika a “tragedy”.
The franchise is set to finish at the end of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, but New Zealand Rugby said other parties are exploring an option to keep the club going.
Genia, who spoke toAAP from Japan, where he is a coach with the Kintetsu Liners, made comparisons between Moana Pasifika’s situation and that of the Melbourne Rebels.
“It is a tragedy. I do feel for them,” he said.
“It’s obviously similar to the experience a lot of guys at the Melbourne Rebels had, when they were cut, and what it does to the talent pathway and the Pacific opportunities, not to have a pathway.
Former Wallabies captain Will Genia said Moana Pasifika's disbandment is a "tragedy". Photo / Mark Mitchell
Moana Pasifika chief executive Debbie Sorensen, who is also chief executive of Pasifika Medical Association, which owns the Super Rugby club, said financial obligations would be met for the remainder of the 2026 season.
However, a new owner will need to come in and be able to meet the annual running costs of between $10 million and $12m to keep the side going.
Meanwhile, Genia said he would be open to joining new NRL start-up PNG Chiefs.
The 38-year-old is a dual citizen of Australia and Papua New Guinea, with his 11-year-old daughter being schooled in the country.
“If the Chiefs needed me for anything, for sure I’d love to get involved,” Genia told AAP.
“I’d love to be in like a mentoring space or a talent scout or talent ID role, or just be a part of what they’re trying to build.
“I think the challenging thing for them will be establishing pathways and infrastructure, a professional competition. They’ll need as many people as they can.
“So if there was an opportunity, that’d be great because there’s a hell of a lot that I could offer as a player in professional environments, high-performance environments and things of that nature.
“And it’d be an opportunity for me to get back home.”
