Rather than sitting as a forlorn figure ruing what could've been for Moana Pasifika, coach Tana Umaga is keeping his faith that the side's Super Rugby Pacific chapter isn't closed yet.
Pasifika capped off potentially their final match, against the ACT Brumbies, with a 21-19 victory on Saturday in Canberra after the club's ownership announced in April they would not continue to fund the franchise beyond 2026.
The franchise was placed into liquidation on Monday, and unless a saviour comes to the rescue, they will not play in the competition next season.
But Umaga isn't writing off their hopes, as reports swirl that potential bidders for Pasifika's licence have emerged.
"I don't know how big that ray of hope is at this stage, but we always live in hope," Umaga said.
"We talk about faith all the time, so now more than anything, we've got to have faith that the powers that be can keep an eye on the Moana movement.
"I know people are working tirelessly, and there has been some positive talk, but in this game we talk quite a bit, and until you get it written down on paper that talk kind of goes up into the air and gets mixed up with the atmosphere."
Pasifika played their first competition clash in 2022 and were designed to represent Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands, although plans to base the club in Samoa never eventuated and they only played in Tonga once across five seasons.
Instead, they played their games in Auckland and struggled to secure commercial or public interest.
But Umaga says the importance of the club goes beyond just a professional team as it was set up to provide a pathway for Pacific players.
One of those athletes is captain Miracle Faiilagi, who was scouted while playing club rugby for a Samoan team.
"They (gave me an) opportunity that other kids dream of," Faiilagi said.
"Getting the opportunity just to make the most of it and making the team was the first task for me.
"Inspiring them (fans) by doing the best that I can, turning up every week ... is quite massive for my family and me as well."
After the fulltime siren rang on Saturday, the Pasifika team huddled into a circle, linking together arm in arm as they listened to their leaders talk.
Scrumhalf Augustine Pulu said discussions on faith were at the centre of the huddle.
"We talked about being in the valley and on the mountaintops. In the valley, you get to learn a bit more of yourself and as we grow as men, we do get to the mountaintops in different times and areas in the future," Pulu said.
"That's a big learning for us as young men ... hopefully we can show courage to keep fighting, no matter what life brings to you."
