It was a breakthrough season for Moana Pasifika in 2025. 

With six victories, including wins over the Hurricanes, Highlanders, Blues, and Crusaders, the team ended up finishing 7th – just shy of the playoffs. 

They’re kicking off their 2026 season next Saturday, with a clash against the Fijian Drua in Lautoka. 

Coach Tana Umaga joined Piney ahead of the season to discuss their plans to keep momentum rolling, and the difficulty of losing their players during the offseason. 

He told Piney that no one person can fill the gap left by Ardie Savea, but the leaders within the team are stepping up to the plate. 

“It’s still a big shadow to have hanging over us, but our boys, they embrace that.” 

LISTEN ABOVE 

It was a breakthrough season for Moana Pasifika in 2025.&nbsp;
With six victories, including wins over the Hurricanes, Highlanders, Blues, and Crusaders, the team ended up finishing 7th – just shy of the playoffs.&nbsp;
They’re kicking off their 2026 season next Saturday, with a clash against the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.&nbsp;
Coach Tana Umaga joined Piney ahead of the season to discuss their plans to keep momentum rolling, and the difficulty of losing their players during the offseason.&nbsp;
He told Piney that no one person can fill the gap left by Ardie Savea, but the leaders within the team are stepping up to the plate.&nbsp;
“It’s still a big shadow to have hanging over us, but our boys, they embrace that.”&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Weekend Sport with Jason Pine on Newstalk ZB brings you all the action and reaction to the sporting weekend.

Weekend Sport with Jason Pine

Tana Umaga: Moana Pasifika Coach ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby season, on filling the gap left by Ardie Savea

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d4a91a32-5903-4d55-bcc2-b3ea001fd1b8/transcript

New Manly interim head coach for Kieran Foran can breathe a sigh of relief after a stunning start to the job. 

The Sea Eagles beat the Dolphins 52-18 in their round five NRL clash – Manly put 28 points on their opponents at the breaks 

Adam Peacock told Piney it was quite literally an Easter miracle.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

New Manly interim head coach for Kieran Foran can breathe a sigh of relief after a stunning start to the job.&nbsp;
The Sea Eagles beat the Dolphins 52-18 in their round five NRL clash – Manly put 28 points on their opponents at the breaks&nbsp;
Adam Peacock told Piney it was quite literally an Easter miracle. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Adam Peacock: Australian Correspondent on the Manly Sea Eagles win over the Dolphins

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/eb1f4546-5541-408d-bed0-b422002bd3df/transcript

As the Football World Cup edges closer, the All Whites are looking to finalise their squad. 

In the most recent international, the team fell to Finland, but managed to pick up an impressive 4-1 over Chile. 

Head Coach Darren Bazeley told Piney the Finland game was disappointing, but they had a solid review the following day that left them determined to not have that type of performance again. 

He says that while the loss wasn’t ideal, the reaction and the real accountability they got as a result was great, and then on Monday, they got exactly the performance they wanted. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

As the Football World Cup edges closer, the All Whites are looking to finalise their squad.&nbsp;
In the most recent international, the team fell to Finland, but managed to pick up an impressive 4-1 over Chile.&nbsp;
Head Coach Darren Bazeley told Piney the Finland game was disappointing, but they had a solid review the following day that left them determined to not have that type of performance again.&nbsp;
He says that while the loss wasn’t ideal, the reaction and the real accountability they got as a result was great, and then on Monday, they got exactly the performance they wanted.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Darren Bazeley: All Whites Coach on the loss to Finland and subsequent victory over Chile

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3a4f6d2e-f5a8-4581-861d-b422002a3d03/transcript

On the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast for 4th April 2026, the Crusaders have farewelled their temporary home at Addington – CEO Colin Mansbridge talks about what the stadium has meant for the city. 

Bev Priestman has led the Wellington Phoenix women to their first ever playoffs and their best ever regular season. She joined Piney to reflect on the team's success. 

And Adam Peacock reflects on a scarcely believable first outing for new Manly Sea Eagles head coach, Kieran Foran. 

Get the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast every Saturday and Sunday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

On the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast for 4th April 2026, the Crusaders have farewelled their temporary home at Addington – <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/weekend-sport-with-jason-pine/audio/jack-mesley-super-rugby-ceo-defends-scheduling-only-three-games-over-easter-weekend/">CEO Colin Mansbridge</a> talks about what the stadium has meant for the city.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/weekend-sport-with-jason-pine/audio/bev-priestman-wellington-phoenix-women-coach-on-their-victory-over-adelaide-securing-a-playoffs-spot/">Bev Priestman</a> has led the Wellington Phoenix women to their first ever playoffs and their best ever regular season. She joined Piney to reflect on the team's success.&nbsp;
And Adam Peacock reflects on a scarcely believable first outing for new Manly Sea Eagles head coach, Kieran Foran.&nbsp;
Get the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast every Saturday and Sunday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 04 April 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fa20782a-5e45-4c6a-9b48-b42200248b54/transcript

Tana Umaga: Moana Pasifika Coach ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby season, on filling the gap left by Ardie Savea

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