\u201cWe understand that Tracy Atiga and\/or Kanaloa were in discussions with PMA, and perhaps NZR, on potentially either taking on the licence or becoming a partner with PMA,\u201d Nichol said. \u201cWe are not across the exact nature of those discussions at all.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be clear, we were not involved in that process at all, and have certainly not seen any proposals or documentation relating to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nichol said Atiga contacted him over the weekend but he directed her back to NZR, given its role as licence holder, and added that no formal proposal has been shared with the NZRPA.<\/p>\n
\u201cI encouraged her to direct any proposal she may have to NZR in the first instance, given their role as the licence holder, and the fact that there is a level of urgency now,\u201d Nichol said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI also said she was welcome to copy myself and\/or Hale T-Pole from Pacific Rugby Players Association on any correspondence or proposal, or send us something directly if she wished.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo date we have not received anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
NZR would not comment directly about Atiga\u2019s claims but said it was \u201copen to receiving proposals that present a long-term and sustainable plan for Moana Pasifika\u201d and that \u201copportunity is available for the next few weeks\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Kanaloa Rugby consortium was established to create a professional franchise representing Pacific Island communities on the global stage and has the backing of former All Blacks Jerome Kaino, Joe Rokocoko, John Afoa, Anthony Tuitavake, Ben Atiga, Sam Tuitupou and Benson Stanley, while Tracy Atiga is a former Samoan women\u2019s international.<\/p>\n
With time running out, as Moana have three games left this season and Super Rugby officials are desperate to finalise plans for the 2027 campaign, Atiga told Hosking that Kanaloa is ready to take over but PMA chief executive Debbie Sorensen is ignoring them.<\/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 told Hosking.<\/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… 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 at least be agreeing to meet with that group.\u201d<\/p>\n
Atiga told Hosking her frustrations began when Kanaloa missed out on a Super Rugby licence at the last minute to Moana Pasifika, who didn\u2019t participate in the formal tender process.<\/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 a proposal to buy Moana Pasifika. 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
Atiga said other unions in the Pacific are preparing letters of endorsement to support Kanaloa\u2019s bid, 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\u2019 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… 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
Sorensen has been approached for comment.<\/p>\n