Major rugby team plunges into chaos and set to fold | Rugby | Sport

Here are your rugby headlines for Wednesday, April 15.

Major rugby team at risk of being axed

Super Rugby side Moana Pasifika are set to be disbanded at the end of the current season and removed from the competition. The club confirmed that it had no alternative given the “financial, operational, and strategic realities” it faced, with Super Rugby set to be reduced to 10 teams next season.

“Despite the tireless dedication of players, staff, and supporters, it is no longer viable to continue the franchise at this level of competition,” the team said in a statement.

Moana Pasifika chair Dr Kiki Maoate added: “We are immensely proud of our players, staff, and the community who have supported our team over the years.

“Our commitment now is to ensure a smooth transition for everyone affected and to celebrate our legacy by finishing the season strong.”

Multiple reports in New Zealand and Australia revealed that 60 players and staff were informed on Tuesday that the Super Rugby club’s owners will fund the remainder of the 2026 campaign but will not continue beyond that point.

The Auckland-based franchise, established in 2020, faced annual running costs believed to be in the region of £4.4million to £5.2m.

The situation represents a devastating blow not only to the competition itself but also to Pacific rugby on a wider scale.

Moana have provided a vital pathway for players from Samoa, Tonga and the broader Pacific diaspora, and their demise would leave a number of high-profile stars in an uncertain position — not least All Blacks talisman Ardie Savea.

Savea had been set to rejoin the club next season following his sabbatical in Japan with Kobe Steelers, having pledged his commitment to Moana as part of his New Zealand Rugby deal.

Should the club fold, the former Hurricanes star would be forced to seek an alternative Super Rugby home, with a return to Wellington considered one potential outcome.

The financial outlook has appeared increasingly dire for some considerable time.

Reports suggest that previous attempts to offload the licence failed to attract a buyer, despite interest from former All Black Ali Williams and his wife Anna Mowbray.

A consortium led by former Moana chief executive Pelenato Sakalia is also said to be weighing up a rescue bid, though any new ownership would require approval from New Zealand Rugby.

Head coach Tana Umaga, who is set to join the All Blacks coaching setup at the end of the season, had already raised concerns over the club’s insufficient backing earlier in the year.

“I reckon we just want to be on a level playing field around the funding that goes out to all the teams,” he said.

Moana currently sit bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific table with just one win from eight matches.

Wales international ruled out for rest of season

Gloucester have suffered a significant blow out wide, with Wales international Josh Hathaway ruled out for the remainder of the season. He sustained a hamstring injury ahead of Friday night’s Gallagher Premiership clash with Bristol Bears.

The Welsh speedster’s campaign has been severely disrupted by injury, and this latest setback has brought his season to a premature close, leaving Gloucester without one of their most potent back-three threats for the final stretch of the season.

The more positive news for Welsh fans centres on Tomos Williams, who is edging ever closer to a comeback following the shoulder injury he picked up during last month’s victory over Harlequins.

Gloucester head coach George Skivington confirmed the scrum-half is back out on the training pitch and “there or thereabouts” ahead of the trip to Ashton Gate, with a late call to be made regarding his participation against Bristol.

Williams, who is set to join Saracens this summer, has once again proved an influential presence for Gloucester this season, and his return to fitness will be keenly monitored by head coach Steve Tandy and the Wales set-up, with the national side’s depth at number nine already a hot topic as attention turns to next year’s World Cup.

Skivington indicated the injury itself was not a serious one, but suggested the considerable workload Williams has carried since the Six Nations may have hampered his recovery.

“Tommy [Williams] is running again,” Skivington said. “Tomos got a bang to his shoulder. It wasn’t horrendous or anything like that. I think he has probably just played a lot of rugby, to be honest, coming off the back of the Six Nations. And, you know, when lads are fatigued, the bangs take a little bit longer.

“But he’s there or thereabouts. We’ll make a call on him for the weekend. He’s not bad. He’s in a good spot.”