Historic fixture will see Moana Pasifika host first Super Rugby game in Tonga

December 23, 2023

Sport / Venues /

Moana Pasifika will stage a Super Rugby match in Tonga for the first time in history next year in a bid to grow the sport in the island nation

While 19 of the team's 38-man playing squad are of Tongan descent they normally play in Auckland, where there is a large Pacific community.

However, the historic move will see Moana Pasifika host the Highlanders on 4th May at the 10,000-capacity Teufaiva Sport Stadium in the capital Nuku'alofa.

Explaining the move, Moana Chief Executive, Pelenato Sakalia stated “it's always been part of our mission to take games to the Pacific, to invest in these communities and give our fans in the Islands the chance to watch the team in their own backyard.

"It shows them what's possible and allows our players to showcase their talent in front of their families.”

Moana Pasifika Chairman La’auli Savae, Sir Michael Jones noted “we are extremely privileged and excited to bring the very first Super Rugby game to the Kingdom of Tonga.

"Our Tongan people are some of the most passionate and loyal supporters. They deserve this fixture being played on home soil and to have the opportunity to watch their Moana Pasifika rugby heroes representing them live at their beloved Teufaiva Stadium.

“For us this game is about opportunity and hope. We want to build on the excellent momentum the ‘Ikale Tahi made of late, particularly at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.”

Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, who is also President of the island's rugby union, added “we look forward to continuing to demonstrate that we can host these international games.

Moana, who were founded in 2020, played their first home game in the Pacific in April when they lost 40-28 to the Queensland Reds in Samoa.

11 Moana players were part of Tonga's squad at the Rugby World Cup in France this year.

Image: Moana Pasifika will continue their Pacific expansion as they take the game to Tonga. Credit: Super Rugby Pacific/Carousel Images.

24th November 2023 - Rugby Australia secures private equity $80 million loan

14th November 2023 - Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby Union move forward with national alignment first

25th October 2023 - World Rugby reveals expanded 2027 World Cup

1st September 2023 - Review says New Zealand Rugby’s governance structure is ‘not fit for purpose’

23rd August 2023 - Rugby Australia announces ‘historic strategic reset’ to gain financial control of Super Rugby clubs

11th August 2023 - Fintech group Fexco announces corporate sponsorship of Tonga Rugby Team

11th May 2023 - New Plymouth’s Yarrow Stadium set to host first Super Rugby fixture since 2017

13th March 2023 - Super Rugby NZ Clubs link with Campaignware to enhance fan engagement and sponsor activation

1st December 2022 - New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia agree exclusive new Super Rugby Pacific deal until 2030

3rd February 2022 - COVID-19 forces Super Rugby Pacific teams to relocate to Queenstown hub

17th December 2021 - Super Rugby’s Moana Pasifika partners with New Zealand ticketing provider Flicket

1st September 2021 - Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika to join Super Rugby Pacific competition for 2022

16th April 2021 - Super Rugby announces granting of conditional licences for Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua

26th May 2017 - Tonga withdraws from 2019 Pacific Games hosting

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.