New Zealand Rugby's adamant there was no choice but to reject rescue plans for the financially-strapped Moana Pasifika. 

Moana is officially out of the 2027 Super Rugby season – although there is hope they will be back in the future. 

The franchise fizzles out, owing millions on a loan from the Government through Sport New Zealand. 

Chief financial officer Chris Kinraid told Mike Hosking they made all efforts to save Moana Pasifika, but in the end they had a pretty strict criteria. 

He says they were looking for proposals that had the cash to support the franchise and a sustainable and viable business plan, and both those criteria weren’t met.  

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