Tonga will once again be left without a promised Super Rugby Pacific fixture this year, casting doubts over the viability of the country's professional ranks.
Moana Pasifika, which is underpinned by a distinct cultural identity after entering rugby union's now 30-year competition in 2022, will not host the Waikato-based Chiefs on April 11 due to funding costs.
The franchise resides among Auckland's large Polynesian diaspora and plays its home encounters out of North Harbour Stadium, but has always maintained a commitment to return to Moana Pasifika's heartland.
Moana Pasifika hosted a 2023 match in Samoa and a 2024 match in Tonga, however last year's Pacific fixture was cancelled over logistical issues.
A second attempt to return to the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa this year failed to materialise over a lack of sponsorship.
World Rugby had agreed in 2021 to fund the new franchise for its first three years in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure a professional pathway for the sport in the Pacific islands, however that cash flow has now run dry.
"We have explored every avenue possible to try and make it work, but unfortunately we are unable to secure the necessary sponsorship to bring a game to Tonga," Moana Pasifika chief executive Debbie Sorensen said on Monday.
"The challenge we face is that we are not funded to bring any games to the Pacific region - and we believe we should be.
"While we are heartbroken for our team, our fans, and especially our families in Tonga, we still remain hopeful and deeply committed to growing the game in the region.
"We look forward to opportunities to bring world-class rugby to Tonga and other Pacific nations as soon as possible."
Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga had only voiced his frustration over the lack of investment last week.
The franchise was formed to provide more Polynesian players opportunities to join one of the top competitions in the world to include not only Tongan and Samoan-raised players, but Pasifika talent born in New Zealand/Aotearoa.
Umaga has been left disillusioned over World Rugby's stance of essentially abandoning pathways in the Polynesian nations.
"We just want to be on a level playing field around the funding that goes out to all the teams," Umaga, an All Blacks legend, said.
"You can just see what we bring to the competition - World Rugby probably needs to help out a bit more.
"When you look around the world and how many Pacific Island players are playing in all these different countries, you don't want to lose sight of what we represent and what we do for this game."
The blow comes after ARL chairman Peter V'landys highlighted the popularity of the code in the Pacific while announcing the NRL's largest operating surplus last year.
"The season delivered extraordinary performance outcomes for rugby league, cementing our now established position as Australia's - and the Pacific's - No.1 sport," V'landys said.
