WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Moana Pasifika’s four-year tenure in Super Rugby ended not with a whimper but a bang Saturday when they snapped a 12-match losing streak by beating the playoff-bound Brumbies in their last match in the tournament.Playing with 14 men for the last 20 minutes after center Faletoi Peni received a second yellow card which became a red card, Moana Pasifika hung on to beat the Brumbies 21-19 for their second win of the season.The impulse to celebrate was overwhelmed by the pathos of the moment. After the final whistle the Moana Pasifika players and staff formed a circle and sang a poignant hymn which evoked both their pride and sadness that their journey together has ended.The Moana Pasifika organization has been placed in liquidation and, though efforts are still being made to save the team which offers players of Pasifika heritage a pathway to professional rugby, the future seems forlorn.
New Zealand Rugby will ensure the players and staff are paid through July and the New Zealand government is to provide some financial assistance. But that is not likely to be enough to allow the team to continue and Super Rugby will be a 10-team competition next year.
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