Overview
- New Zealand Rugby has declined to transfer Moana Pasifika’s Super Rugby Pacific licence, meaning the team will not play in the 2027 competition.
- NZR told interested parties that the rescue bids it reviewed did not meet its capital and business‑plan standards and were not credible long‑term.
- The governing body set clear minimums for any future bid, saying a licence holder must generate more than A$8 million in commercial revenue plus broadcast income and have at least A$12 million in committed capital.
- Moana Pasifika was placed into liquidation in May after owners Pasifika Medical Association said they could not keep funding the club and liquidators reported about $8.2 million in debt.
- Super Rugby Pacific will proceed as a 10‑team competition in 2027 with four Australian teams, four New Zealand teams and one Fijian team, and NZR says it will consider Pacific bids again only if backers meet the financial tests.