Atiga said on Newstalk ZB\u2019s Mike Hosking Breakfast that politics are at play between Kanaloa Rugby, the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) \u2013 Moana\u2019s owners \u2013 and New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) boss Rob Nichol.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we have heard and what we\u2019ve learned over the last couple of weeks is that this has all been sitting with the current chief executive Debbie Sorensen and there\u2019s been very little visibility at the high end,\u201d Atiga said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my discussions with people who are involved in that group, it seems that our offer never got past Debbie and we would like to see that in the hands of the directors of the company so that they can see, there\u2019s a lot of risks to them with the money that\u2019s owed to the Government through taxpayer funding for this outfit. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat is something that should be taken care of, it shouldn\u2019t be pushed to the side and if you\u2019ve got a consortium like us that have been around for 22 years, you should be at least agreeing to meet with that group.\u201d<\/p>\n
Atiga told Hosking her frustrations began when Kanaloa missed out on a Super Rugby licence, when at the last moment Moana Pasifika \u2013 who didn\u2019t participate in the formal tender process \u2013 were successful.<\/p>\n
That led Kanaloa Rugby to explore Hawaii as an option to join Major League Rugby in the US, although several roadblocks were encountered, and the competition is also struggling.<\/p>\n
Last year, Kanaloa Rugby put forward its proposal to buy Moana Pasifika but Atiga told Hosking she received a response from Deloitte in December informing Kanaloa that PMA would not proceed with its bid, with no reasons given.<\/p>\n
Tracy Atiga during her rugby days playing for Samoa. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Atiga said the other unions in the Pacific are preparing letters of endorsements to support their bids, adding that the people currently in charge are \u201cholding the fort to protect their own necks\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had the endorsement of the Pacific Island Nations Rugby Unions at the time, all of them,\u201d Atiga said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe met those conditions and then all of a sudden there was this new condition that came on where New Zealand Rugby Players Association had to endorse it and you had to get government support.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the time, we rattled a few people by coming out vocal and expressing our concern about the bidding process and the dodginess of it all, but I think New Zealand Rugby Union have come round, they\u2019ve come full circle and they\u2019ve offered us an opportunity. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a small window. We are trying to get this proposal to them with the approval of PMA and NZRPA. It\u2019s going to be tough because they are parties that won\u2019t talk to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sorrensen and Nichol have both been approached for comment.<\/p>\n