Umaga opens up on uncertainty regarding Moana's future
SPOTLIGHT: Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga said uncertainty about the club’s future beyond this month was affecting on-field performances after another heavy defeat in Super Rugby Pacific.
The team, set up as a professional pathway for Tongan, Samoan and Cook Islands players, are hoping for a positive update from New Zealand Rugby over the possible purchase of their licence.
Moana’s current ownership said last month that they will cease funding when the season winds up in June.
With Moana out of play-off contention and facing the prospect of just two more games before the doors shut permanently, Umaga said the stress on his staff and players was evident in their performances.
A 50-17 loss to the competition-leading Hurricanes in Auckland on Saturday night was the 11th in a row for the last-placed Moana.
Umaga, the former All Blacks captain, said that despite plenty of effort from the players, their attention to detail was dropping off.
“We have faith that something will come through, but it’s a tough time at the moment for a lot of our boys, trying to concentrate on playing rugby while there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding us,” Umaga told reporters.
“We don’t stop trying, but we’re not happy with that score.
“We’ll lick our wounds, go back and refresh, and we might get some good news. Hopefully we’ll know soon enough.”
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It was a sixth score of 50 points or more from the attack-minded Hurricanes, who opened the gap at the top of the standings to five points over the Chiefs.
They defied soggy weather to run in eight tries, including four to wing Josh Moorby.
Moana were at least able to shut down the other Hurricanes wing, Fehi Fineanganofo, who failed to add to his season-leading 15 tries.
Coach Clark Laidlaw said Moorby deserved some of the scoring limelight.
“It’ll cheer him up because he’s been a bit miserable with the other guys scoring tries,” Laidlaw said.
“One thing about Josh is his work rate and energy. He’s always there on the inside or for an offload. He reaped the benefits of that work ethic.”
