Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga is not happy with the Blues, issuing stern criticism of the Auckland club’s alleged unaccommodating attitude as his club continues to struggle to establish a true home base in their fifth season in Super Rugby Pacific.
North Harbour Stadium was the scene of Moana’s breakthrough campaign in 2025, but a licensing agreement limits their access to the North Shore venue to just five games in the 16-week season. The limit is reportedly due to fears of over-saturation in the Auckland market. North Harbour Stadium is located 20 km north of the Blues’ home venue, Eden Park, over Auckland’s Harbour Bridge.
Umaga’s club have previously taken a home game to Samoa, while three fixtures slated for Tonga have fallen through, including an upcoming round 9 contest. Auckland had a Pasifika population of more than 275,000 as of 2023, and originally hosted Moana Pasifika at Mt Smart Stadium.
It is reported that the Blues had expressed concerns about having a second team in the city, which contributed to the five-game limit imposed on Moana in their licensing agreement.
“I don’t know if they realise there’s two professional rugby teams in this city, but we do know they don’t want us here,” Umaga told reporters ahead of Sunday’s clash between Moana Pasifika and the Blues.
“We’ve got nothing against the playing group, nothing against the staff, because I’ve worked in there, but the people that make decisions have made it very hard for us to survive over here. That’s why they probably are our greatest rivals, because they want to see us not do well and not thrive. And I struggle with that.
“When rugby is in a place where we’re at, I struggle with the narrative that comes out of there last year that they believe they’re representing the Pacific. Well, a Pacific team is here, but they’re not willing to assist us or embrace us for the betterment of rugby. I do struggle with that.
Moana have taken a home game to Pukekohe (55 km south of Eden Park) already in the young season, but Umaga says getting that fixture over the line also faced opposition.
“When our game against Tonga didn’t go through, straight away we had the Northland [Rugby] Union come to us and say ‘hey, we’d love to have you’, which they’ve done numerous times,” Umaga added.
“The Blues said, ‘no, that’s in our region. You can’t go up there’. Then, this year, because we play our other games at [Pukekohe], and that’s in the Chiefs’ region, the Blues tried to say to us, ‘that’s actually within the supercity’.
“That’s what we’re up against. But that’s fine. We just have to look back in our past as Pacific Islanders around how tough it is for us here, how tough our families and our parents have fought to provide for us, to give us an opportunity in this great country.
“It’s nothing new for us as a small entity, trying to build and grow for the benefit of our people.”
New Blues CEO Karl Budge issued a response to Umaga’s criticisms, viewing the coach’s comments as an attempt to motivate his team and fans ahead of Sunday’s game.
“Tana was one of my idols growing up, and I have a huge amount of respect for him as a player and a coach,” Budge said.
“I think this is Tana trying to create a bit of extra spice against their cross-town rivals ahead of our game on Sunday. We have really enjoyed the rivalry we’ve created on the field, and this weekend will be no different.
“It has been great to see our two proud clubs work closely together to promote the game and ensure rugby fans, be they in Blues or Moana Pasifika jerseys, get out and support their team.
“We look forward to what will be another tough game against them at Eden Park on Sunday.”