The Moana Pasifika Franchise

[Dismal Pillock]

Jesus, just dump the stupid thing.

It's fallen between all the cracks fan-wise.

Their 2 best players Tavatavanawai and Levi Aumua both buggered off as soon as other NZ teams came sniffing. Which is exactly what will happen again when the next MP (Moana Pasifika) player shows any decent form.

 

[Highlander35]

I mean, the results aren't fabulous, but there's a lot more capped Samoan/Tongan internationals in the squads this season, which is mostly the point of the sides existence, no?

Sure, the squad is bulked out with a "best of NPC" group, but unless it's a literal money pit for NZ Rugby, from World Rugby's perspective it's doing its job?

 

[rugbyAU]

I don't see them lasting beyond 2025 unfortunately

 

[Derpus]

Jesus, just dump the stupid thing.

It's fallen between all the cracks fan-wise.

Their 2 best players Tavatavanawai and Levi Aumua both buggered off as soon as other NZ teams came sniffing. Which is exactly what will happen again when the next MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) player shows any decent form.

I wonder if it matters, as long as the in-form player who has buggered off is a capped Samoan or Tongan?

 

[Mick The Munch]

Jesus, just dump the stupid thing.

It's fallen between all the cracks fan-wise.

Their 2 best players Tavatavanawai and Levi Aumua both buggered off as soon as other NZ teams came sniffing. Which is exactly what will happen again when the next MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) player shows any decent form.

Which I think was the intension - a 6th NZ franchise, feeder for the others

 

[KiwiM]

I think on the field they are doing OK considering they are only a few years in. Tonga and Samoa will be benefiting from a number of their players being exposed to much more pro rugby.

The problem is they don't have a sustainable fanbase. The cost is too much to run games consistently out out the islands and the support in NZ just isn't there. Therefore they are just a money pit.

 

[Bullrush]

I think on the field they are doing OK considering they are only a few years in. Tonga and Samoa will be benefiting from a number of their players being exposed to much more pro rugby.

The problem is they don't have a sustainable fanbase. The cost is too much to run games consistently out out the islands and the support in NZ just isn't there. Therefore they are just a money pit.

I think it will take a bit of time but the fan base will come - particularly if on-field results get better.

I have always been a Blues fan but I'm a PM fan now. More out of principle than anything else but I went to MP (Moana Pasifika) game here in Canberra and they are my team...with the Blues a very close 2nd LOL

It's one of the hard parts of what MP (Moana Pasifika) is. They entered a competition with a couple of decades of history and already-built fan bases. They are based mostly in the city of one of those teams and they aren't properly connected or grounded to one geographical area.

It will take longer than a lot of other places but even if they aren't their No.1 team, Moana Pacific will be, and is, a lot of polynesian fans 2nd team.

 

[KiwiM]

I think it will take a bit of time but the fan base will come - particularly if on-field results get better.

I guess my point is that Moana don't have time. They need a fanbase now.

 

[Derpus]

I guess my point is that Moana don't have time. They need a fanbase now.

They have as long as NZRU and WR (World Rugby) are willing to pay for, really.

 

[KiwiM]

They have as long as NZRU and WR (World Rugby) (World Rugby) are willing to pay for, really.

Yeah. Not long.

 

[drewprint]

I think if Super Rugby is to continue and this commission has the best interests of the competition at heart, it needs to make the competition as tight and compelling, with engaged fan bases, as possible. I don’t quite see MP (Moana Pasifika) working well in this regard - I’d rather see 10 team comp, full home and away season, with a top 4 finals series. Then this is it, this is our model for Super Rugby locked in, and the commission works its arse off to make it the most compelling comp it can be and we as allies start staving off our collective talent leaks to abroad.

 

[Bullrush]

I would not want to see one person who has complained and cried about the Force or the Rebels being cut say one word about Super Rugby being better without MP (Moana Pasifika).

 

[Dan54]

I actually think their problem is obviously fanbase too, and the fact they are really seen as a combination of Samoa and Tonga, which I think will take sometime to settle in as they have long been rivals etc.
And I can understand players looking at team and going, well I not sure how long they will survive with what people are saying so look to their futures elsewhere.
I know Aumua was pretty reluctant to join them early as he said his aspirations were to be an AB as he was born in NZ etc and never really identified with Samoa etc. And even Tavatavanawai seemed a bit outside being a Fijian and not Samoan/Tongan and so perhaps was ken to just go whereever there seemed to be a better chance of success? I see Funaki has gone to Dragons in Wales, so like all teams they have that problem too.
Not sure how to fix fan problem, but would be disappointed if they folded, which I will be honest actually haven't heard any whipers on grapevine over here anyway.

 

[drewprint]

I would not want to see one person who has complained and cried about the Force or the Rebels being cut say one word about Super Rugby being better without MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika).

I think it’s the opposite. If those fans have been hurt by the competition being tightened and made more competitive with their teams being cut, they’re more within their rights than most to expect the same of other franchises too.

 

[Highlander35]

So long as NZRU and WR (World Rugby) are bankrolling them, and there are tracked, material gains for Samoa and Tonga, I'm genuinely unbothered about how much money they may or may not be losing.

 

[Bullrush]

I think it’s the opposite. If those fans have been hurt by the competition being tightened and made more competitive with their teams being cut, they’re more within their rights than most to expect the same of other franchises too.

Except MP (Moana Pasifika) don't have current ABs or top name players. Cutting MP (Moana Pasifika) doesn't make Super Rugby much more competitive. The Rebels have 6 or 7 Wallabies in their squad?

 

[Dismal Pillock]

HUGE boost to the ailing MP (Moana Pasifika) narrative signing Ardie.

That said, Welcome to Auckland, he can stand off all the rucks he likes waiting for his 2nd man at the ruck gloryboy swoop vs the Auckland Blues Killdozer as the Cleated Murder Machine inches its way up the narrowest of narrow inside channels to Recalcitrant and Recidivistic Glory.

 

[Ignoto]

HUGE boost to the ailing MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) narrative signing Ardie

What about this actually makes the narrative around NZRU again taking advantage of the PI's again?

The whole point of introducing both the Fijian and Moana teams was to give a pathway for their players tohave careers this side of the world.

By MP (Moana Pasifika) still being based in Auckland and allowing Ardie to play for them and be picked for the All Blacks demonstrates, MP (Moana Pasifika) is just another NZ team.

If Ardie can play for Moana and still eb picked, then DMac can play for the Tahs and still be picked.

 

[PhilClinton]

The Ardie signing is interesting and seems to be:

1. A throw at the stumps to try and drum up some fan support for the team

2. Potentially a sign we could be getting a SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) comp wide agreement from 2025 for RA and NZRU players to remain national team eligible if they’re playing for any team within the comp?

 

[HogansHeros]

What about this actually makes the narrative around NZRU again taking advantage of the PI's again?

The whole point of introducing both the Fijian and Moana teams was to give a pathway for their players tohave careers this side of the world.

By MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) still being based in Auckland and allowing Ardie to play for them and be picked for the All Blacks demonstrates, MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) is just another NZ team.

If Ardie can play for Moana and still eb picked, then DMac can play for the Tahs and still be picked.

Would welcome Dmac with open arms.