Former Samoa international Dan Leo is convinced the Super Rugby expansion to include two Pacific Islands teams is aimed at benefiting New Zealand Rugby.
It was confirmed last week that two Pacific Islands teams – Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua – had been given a conditional licence to join the five New Zealand Super Rugby teams next year in a new competition as long as Rugby Australia, whose Super Rugby teams will also feature, agree to the expansion as well.
ALSO READ: 80% of Moana Pasifika squad ‘can’t play for the All Blacks’
But Leo, a fierce critic of New Zealand’s pilfering of Pacific Islands talent over the years, believes the expansion is a cunning way to allow New Zealand Rugby to continue poaching the best players from Samoa, Tonga and Fiji instead of forming a professional pathway for players to get into the squads of aforementioned tier-two nations.
Below is a series of tweets in which Leo questions the involvement of New Zealand Rugby administrators in the running and management of the Pacific Islands Super Rugby franchise.
My 2cents on P.I Super Teams…
Got every faith in Fiji Drua being run well & benefitting Fiji rugby & Fiji??
Less so “Moana Pasifika”. Senior Poly (Sam & Tongan) players & Island unions contacting me saying they’ve been kept in dark as to details doesn’t inspire confidence??
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) April 15, 2021
Already 2 NZRugby Board members on Moana’s committee & hearing a NZRPA employee being lined up as Moana Director of Rugby.
Lots of room for conflict of interest.
Very little consultation with SAMOA & TONGA
Need to make sure Moana doesn’t become NZs 6th Super Team @WorldRugby https://t.co/fWTPYCschM
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) April 16, 2021
Incriminating recording of NZRPA boss Rob Nicol
My worry is that Moana Pasifika is just NZ Rugby’s Trojan horse.
“A huge amount of untapped potential”
“We know things are gonna change. And if things change it’s gonna create the opportunity”https://t.co/wnXCW38oZL
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) April 20, 2021
NZRPA shouldn’t be involved at all. Their mandate is to advance the NZ players at any cost. Not Pacific Island players.
The fact the are key stakeholders in Moana and one of their employees is General manager has alarm bells ringing ?? https://t.co/qyDbqd1VOD
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) April 20, 2021
Better to ask these questions now, than in 10 years when the side possibly hasn’t had the effect on Tonga & Samoa rugby that we need it to. https://t.co/WbDmk5BghQ
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) April 20, 2021
This statement worries me “Tonga Rugby Union CEO Peter Harding said they haven’t had a lot to do with the franchise so far, as they can’t contribute much at the financial end”
TON & SAM should be at the heart of Moana formation not an afterthoughthttps://t.co/ZQv4YlIpMd
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) April 20, 2021
I thought this is what the @WorldRugby contribution was supposed to alleviate.
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) April 20, 2021
Good question @FoyChris. My understanding is that the unions themselves don’t even know and haven’t been consulted. If it’s possible for the Drua, then I’d like to see Moana play their home games between Samoa & Tonga respectively, to help the economy’s & inspire the local kids.
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) April 15, 2021
If I were World Rugby, I’d want to know that my investment into the “Pacific Islands” is indeed that.
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) April 15, 2021
