Pacific Super Rugby Team Could Be Based In Hawaii

Samoa PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said that a proposed Pacific Super Rugby team "might have to base itself in Hawaii to cope with formidable financial demands," according to RADIO NEW ZEALAND. The "feasibility of basing a team in the Pacific Islands was explored" in a Samoan Ministry of Foreign Affairs study released earlier this year, but the money required "makes that unlikely." Malielegaoi, who is also chair of the Samoa Rugby Union, said that SANZAAR is demanding $12M per year to be part of the competition, which is "way out of reach of Pacific nations." He said that a private consortium "expressed interest in bankrolling a Pacific franchise" but only if it is based in Hawaii. He added, "I think that is an opening for our Pacific team but it will have to be based in Hawaii." The head of the Hawaii-based consortium, Richard Fale, confirmed it was "keen to bankroll a team" and was in discussions with SANZAAR. Fale said that his group "would have no trouble raising the funds required" (RADIO NZ, 10/1).