Moana Pasifika enter the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season shaped as much by absence as ambition, with the departure of Ardie Savea looming over the campaign.
Savea, ranked the No. 1 player in the world by FloRugby, will not feature this season as he takes a sabbatical with the Kobe Steelers in Japan Rugby League One, leaving a significant void for a side still searching for consistency.
That absence comes after a 2025 season in which Moana Pasifika finished seventh with a 6–8 record, remaining competitive through much of the campaign without breaking into the playoff positions. The year underscored the team’s physicality and growth, but also how reliant momentum and leadership became in close contests.
It was the best season in the team’s short history.
As Moana Pasifika move into 2026, the focus turns toward adaptation.
Head coach Tana Umaga continues to lead the program, but the loss of the world’s top-ranked player forces a recalibration across the squad. Based in Auckland at North Harbour Stadium, Moana Pasifika begin the season defined by how they respond without their most influential presence on the field.
Moana Pasifika Super Rugby Pacific Schedule 2026February 13: 10:35 p.m.: Fijian Drua vs. Moana PasifikaFebruary 20: 1:05 a.m.: Hurricanes vs. Moana PasifikaFebruary 27: 1:05 a.m.: Moana Pasifika vs. Western ForceMarch 6: 1:05 a.m.: Chiefs vs. Moana PasifikaMarch 14: 10:35 p.m.: Blues vs. Moana PasifikaMarch 21: 2:05 a.m.: Moana Pasifika vs. CrusadersMarch 27: 2:05 a.m.: Moana Pasifika vs. HighlandersApril 10: 10:05 p.m.: Moana Pasifika vs. ChiefsApril 17: 5:35 a.m.: NSW Waratahs vs. Moana PasifikaApril 25: 10:00 p.m.: Highlanders vs. Moana PasifikaMay 2: 3:05 a.m.: Moana Pasifika vs. BluesMay 9: 3:05 a.m.: Moana Pasifika vs. HurricanesMay 22: 12:35 a.m.: Moana Pasifika vs. Queensland RedsMay 29: 12:35 a.m.: ACT Brumbies vs. Moana PasifikaWhat Did Moana Pasifika Do in 2025?
Moana Pasifika finished seventh in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific standings with a 6–8 record and 28 points, ending the season just outside the playoff positions after a competitive regular season.
2025 Super Rugby Pacific StandingsChiefs, 11–3 (51 points)Crusaders, 11–3 (49 points)ACT Brumbies, 9–5 (44 points)Hurricanes, 8–1–5 (39 points)Queensland Reds, 8–6 (38 points)Blues, 6–8 (33 points)Moana Pasifika, 6–8 (28 points)NSW Waratahs, 6–8 (26 points)Western Force, 4–1–9 (23 points)Fijian Drua, 4–10 (20 points)Highlanders, 3–11 (20 points)The Moana Pasifika Coach Is Tana Umaga
Tana Umaga is the head coach of Moana Pasifika, continuing to lead the Auckland-based side into the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
When Does The Super Rugby Pacific Season Start?
The 30th season of Super Rugby begins with Round 1 on Feb. 13 with the first game being in Dunedin between the Highlanders and Crusaders at 1:05 a.m. ET.
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