Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga has heralded his side's strong purpose in helping them claim a stirring 21-19 upset victory over the finals-bound ACT Brumbies in potentially their final match.
The Super Rugby Pacific club was placed into liquidation on Monday after their current owners announced that they would not continue to fund the franchise beyond 2026 on April 15.
Unless a last-minute saviour comes in to salvage the club, only introduced in 2022, they will fold and the competition will shrink to 10 teams in 2027.
But Pasifika (2-12) relished in the emotionally charged occasion at GIO Stadium on Saturday and snapped a 12-game losing streak to avoid a record-equalling 13th loss.
The cellar dwellers' victory wasn't smooth sailing, as the Brumbies led both on the scoreboard and numerically when barnstorming inside centre Faletoi Peni was handed a second yellow card and sent off in the 63rd minute.
