Super Rugby Pacific

It was not the hosts' night with poor lineouts, penalties and a glimpse of greatness come too late.

Head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga has made just one change to his starting lineup for the Super Rugby Pacific round three home game against the Australian side.

Despite financial challenges, Moana Pasifika is "here to stay", according to the Super Rugby franchise chief executive Debbie Sorensen.

A lack of funding has forced Moana Pasifika to cancel hosting their Super Rugby Pacific round nine match against the Chiefs in Nuku'alofa.

The former All Blacks captain and Moana Pasifika mentor believes rugby's governing body should be pouring more financial assistance into the two Pacific Island Super Rugby teams.

Head coach Glen Jackson has made changes to the team to face the NSW Waratahs in Sydney.

Moana Pasifika head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga believes more should be done to keep the island nations involved in the competition.

William 'Willi' Havili reflects on his upcoming 50th match and becoming the most-capped player for the club in Super Rugby Pacific. Audio

The match will be the second time in Super Rugby history that the two sides will clash in the opening round.

Super Rugby Pacific is back after a real return to form last year, with the competition kicking off in Dunedin on 13 February.

Virimi Vakatawa, 33, was released from his French contract there years ago because of medical reasons and joined the Drua off-season training late last year.

A strong sense of purpose is pumping through the Moana Pasifika squad as they prepare for the upcoming Super Rugby campaign. Audio

Head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga announced his Super Rugby Pacific squad on Thursday.

The Fiji-based Super Rugby franchise made the announcement on Tuesday.

Jeff Miller, a 1991 Rugby World Cup winner with Australia and a senior rugby administrator, will assume the new role in January 2026.

John Sanday believes the time is right to review and amend the current agreements between Counter Ruck - the company that manages the Drua franchise - and its main stakeholders.

The Fijian Drua generated an unprecedented contribution to the nation's gross domestic product during the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.

The Fijian Drua will host Moana Pasifika in the opening round of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific in Lautoka in February next year.