Pacific

Moana Pasifika to play Highlanders in Nuku'alofa

11:17 am on 6 December 2023

Miracle Fai'ilagi of Moana Pasifika scores during the Super Rugby Pacific 2023. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Moana Pasifika is expected to play one of their Super Rugby Pacific match in Tonga for the first time next year.

The franchise has confirmed the venues of all of their home matches, except for the 4 May clash against the Highlanders.

RNZ Pacific understands Tonga Rugby and Moana Pasifika have been in talks and an announcement is expected to be made by the end of week.

A club statement released on Tuesday stated that Moana Pasifika will take on the Highlanders in a new destination outside of Aotearoa on 4 May.

The team had played the Reds in Apia this year in their first Super Rugby home game away from New Zealand and the franchise has been in discussions with the Tonga Rugby Union on the likely Te'ufaiva Park game.

Moana Pasifika said they will announce the 4 May venue soon.

"In 2024 more Moana Pasifika fans than ever before will get to see the team play in person. In an endeavour to become more accessible to their loyal supporters, the franchise will play home matches across six different venues," the club said.

"With their training facility based in Auckland, the city that is home to the greatest Polynesian population in the world, Moana Pasifika is continuing their mission to reach more people across the city and different regions."

Moana Pasifika full schedule

  • Round 1: AWAY vs the Highlanders. Saturday 24th February at 7:05pm (NZT)
  • Round 2: HOME vs the Fijian Drua. Saturday 2nd March at 7:05pm (NZT) - Super Round, AAMI Park, Melbourne
  • Round 3: HOME vs the Melbourne Rebels. Friday 8th March at 7:05pm (NZT) - North Harbour Stadium, Albany.
  • Round 4: AWAY vs the Western Force. Saturday 16th March at 12:00am (NZT)
  • Round 5: AWAY vs the Brumbies. Friday 22nd March at 9:35pm (NZT)
  • Round 6: HOME vs the Blues. Saturday 30th March at 4:35pm (NZT) - Eden Park, Auckland.
  • Round 7: AWAY vs the Chiefs. Saturday 6th April at 7:05pm (NZT)
  • Round 8: HOME vs the Queensland Reds. Friday 12th April at 7:05pm (NZT) - Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei
  • Round 9: BYE
  • Round 10: AWAY vs the Fijian Drua. Saturday 27th April at 2:05pm (NZT)
  • Round 11: HOME vs the Highlanders. Saturday 4th May at 2:05pm (NZT) - TBC.
  • Round 12: HOME vs the Chiefs. Friday 10th May at 7:05pm (NZT) - Go Media Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland.
  • Round 13: AWAY vs the Hurricanes. Friday 17th May at 7:05pm (NZT)
  • Round 14: HOME vs the NSW Waratahs. Saturday 25th May at 4:35pm (NZT) - Go Media Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland.
  • Round 15: AWAY vs the Crusaders. Friday 31st May at 7:05pm (NZT)