Source: Radio New Zealand
Tensions are high between the Blues and Moana Pasifika. Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Asked whether the Blues rivalry is personal, Moana Pasifika coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga didn’t hesitate.
“Oh f*** yeah.”
Umaga and his men say they have felt a general sense of derision from the other side of the bridge since their inception .
“I don’t know if they [the Blues] realise there are two professional rugby teams in this city, but we do know that they don’t want us here.”
Umaga clarified his scorn is reserved for the exec suite at Blues HQ, not the team.
“We’ve got nothing against the playing group, nothing against the staff that work in there. But the people that make decisions have made it very hard for us to survive over here.
“That’s why they are our greatest rivals because they want us to see us not do well, not thrive. I struggle with that when rugby’s in a place where we’re at.”
One particular narrative which came from the Blues in 2025 has incensed Umaga.
“They believe that they’re representing the Pacific. Well, a Pacific team’s here, but you’re not willing to assist us for the betterment of rugby.
“I do struggle with that. That’s why this game does mean a lot to us.”
Under their current licensing agreement, Moana can only host five games in Auckland per season, due to fears it would saturate the viewing market.
Umaga said this was pushed by the Blues, who have continued to prove a barrier to the new franchise.
“We’re only allowed five games here. When our game against Tonga didn’t go through straight away, we had the Northland Union come to us and say, ‘we’d love to have you’, which they’ve done numerous times and the Blues said ‘no that’s in our region, you can’t go there’.
He said they similarly tried to block Moana from playing at Pukekohe two weeks ago, technically a Chiefs region, but Umaga alleges the Blues attempted to stop them as it fell within the Super City boundary.
“So that’s what we’re up against.”
The Moana coach drew parallels to the difficulties the franchise has had trying to establish a foothold in Auckland, with the daily battles faced by their ancestors who came to Aotearoa.
“We just have to look back enough in our past as Pacific Islanders around how tough it is for us here. How our families have fought to provide for us here and give us an opportunity in this great country.
“So it’s nothing new for us as a small entity, trying to grow and build for the betterment of our people that have come behind us.”
Blues CEO Karl Budge said he felt Umaga was trying to create a “bit of extra spice” against their cross-town rivals 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, and he is entitled to his opinions.”
Budge did not respond directly to Umaga’s allegations of attempting to block them from playing in Northland and South Auckland.
Instead, Budge talked up the importance of working together for the betterment of the sport in the region.
“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 have really enjoyed the rivalry we’ve created on the field and this weekend will be no different.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
