WFR News
PACIFIC RUGBY RIVALRY ESTABLISHED: TAUPO TOA AND CALIFORNIAN GRIZZLIES TO BATTLE PERPETUALLY FOR THE SACRED "HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA" TROPHY
2026-09-25 15:58:02
TAUPO, NEW ZEALAND & SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — A historic cross-continental rugby fixture has officially been established, bringing together Taupō Toa of New Zealand and the Californian Grizzlies of the United States. This perpetual rivalry will see the sides lock horns across the Pacific, with the ultimate prize on the line whenever the two teams face each other, fostering international sports diplomacy and deep cultural exchange.
The highly anticipated first match up between the teams will happen in Round 11 of Conference One, marking the official competitive unveiling of the rivalry and establishing the inaugural baseline for all future trans-oceanic clashes between these two clubs.
At the very heart of this debut fixture is the introduction of its permanent prize: THE "HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA" TROPHY.
Rather than a conventional cup or shield, THE "HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA" TROPHY is an authentic, professionally framed Haurua (Māori Half-Length Presentation Cape), woven entirely by hand in New Zealand. Translated to mean "The Connection Across the Ocean," THE "HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA" TROPHY serves as a living symbol of unity, bridging the vast waters between the two nations from this very first match onward.
The selection of Taupō Toa for this series carries an important geographic significance: they represent the northernmost New Zealand team in the World Fantasy Rugby (WFR) universe, positioning them to challenge their North American counterparts directly across the sea for the right to hold the mantle.
THE "HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA" TROPHY has been proudly gifted by the world-renowned Going family — a name synonymous with Northland (Te Tai Tokerau) rugby legacy. The custom-woven cloak stands as an extraordinary mantle of honor, carrying a deeply emotional purpose: it is presented in enduring tribute to Zion Going, who proudly wore the Californian Grizzlies jersey before his playing career was tragically cut short by a sudden diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
"This fixture represents a beautiful bridge over the Pacific," a representative for the match organizers stated. "But more than just a rugby game, THE "HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA" TROPHY ensures that Zion’s immense warrior spirit, his connection to California, and his proud Ngāpuhi heritage will watch over this game and inspire generations of players from both countries, beginning with this historic Round 11 encounter."
The framed taonga features a striking arrangement of red, black, and white feathers representing Zion’s ancestral iwi alongside deep green, blue, and golden accents honoring both the Taupō region and the Golden State. Embedded inside the protective casing is the official bilingual dedication story of the trophy, meant to be read aloud by the contesting teams before kickoff:
------------------------------
HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA
(The Connection Across the Ocean)
Te Reo Māori
E ngā iwi, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha, tēnā koutou katoa.
He taonga tēnei kākahu nō te mana, te hāpai, me te whakakotahitanga o ngā tīma e rua—ko ngā Toa o Taupō ki uta, ko ngā Popoto o California ki tai.
Nā te whānau Going, he uri nō Te Tai Tokerau, i koha tēnei kākahu. Hei tohu whakamahara hoki tēnei ki a Zion Going, i kahu ai i te kākahu o ngā Popoto o California i mua, ā, i whakatā ai i te whakahorapatanga o te māuiui. Ko ngā huinga kura kahu e whakaata ana i te mana o Ngāpuhi, te hohonu o te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, me te tūmanako o te rā e whiti ana ki California.
Ki te tīma ka toa i tēnei rā: Mā tēnei kākahu koutou e tiaki, e whakamana. Whakahonoretia te keemu, puritia te mauri o te korowai nei hei hāpai i te iwi.
Okioki mai rā i runga i te rangimārie.
English Translation
To all peoples, all voices, and all nations gathered, greetings to you all.
This sacred cloak stands as a mantle of prestige, protection, and the unbreakable unity between two teams—the Taupō Toa of the inland waters, and the California Grizzlies of the distant shores.
Gifted proudly by the Going family, descendants of Northland (Te Tai Tokerau), this treasure is presented in enduring honour of Zion Going, who proudly wore the California Grizzlies jersey before illness forced his retirement from the game. The colors woven into this cape reflect the strength of the Ngāpuhi people, the depth of the Pacific Ocean that connects us, and the bright sun of the Golden State.
To the team that triumphs today: Let this cloak protect you and uphold your honor. Respect the game, and carry the spirit of this korowai to lift your people forward.
May you stand in strength and peace.
------------------------------
Following traditional Māori protocol (tikanga), THE "HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA" TROPHY will undergo a formal karakia (sacred water blessing) conducted by New Zealand elders before the first match takes place. It will travel with the reigning champions, defending its mantle whenever and wherever the two teams face each other.
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The highly anticipated first match up between the teams will happen in Round 11 of Conference One, marking the official competitive unveiling of the rivalry and establishing the inaugural baseline for all future trans-oceanic clashes between these two clubs.
At the very heart of this debut fixture is the introduction of its permanent prize: THE "HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA" TROPHY.
Rather than a conventional cup or shield, THE "HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA" TROPHY is an authentic, professionally framed Haurua (Māori Half-Length Presentation Cape), woven entirely by hand in New Zealand. Translated to mean "The Connection Across the Ocean," THE "HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA" TROPHY serves as a living symbol of unity, bridging the vast waters between the two nations from this very first match onward.
The selection of Taupō Toa for this series carries an important geographic significance: they represent the northernmost New Zealand team in the World Fantasy Rugby (WFR) universe, positioning them to challenge their North American counterparts directly across the sea for the right to hold the mantle.
THE "HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA" TROPHY has been proudly gifted by the world-renowned Going family — a name synonymous with Northland (Te Tai Tokerau) rugby legacy. The custom-woven cloak stands as an extraordinary mantle of honor, carrying a deeply emotional purpose: it is presented in enduring tribute to Zion Going, who proudly wore the Californian Grizzlies jersey before his playing career was tragically cut short by a sudden diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
"This fixture represents a beautiful bridge over the Pacific," a representative for the match organizers stated. "But more than just a rugby game, THE "HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA" TROPHY ensures that Zion’s immense warrior spirit, his connection to California, and his proud Ngāpuhi heritage will watch over this game and inspire generations of players from both countries, beginning with this historic Round 11 encounter."
The framed taonga features a striking arrangement of red, black, and white feathers representing Zion’s ancestral iwi alongside deep green, blue, and golden accents honoring both the Taupō region and the Golden State. Embedded inside the protective casing is the official bilingual dedication story of the trophy, meant to be read aloud by the contesting teams before kickoff:
------------------------------
HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA
(The Connection Across the Ocean)
Te Reo Māori
E ngā iwi, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha, tēnā koutou katoa.
He taonga tēnei kākahu nō te mana, te hāpai, me te whakakotahitanga o ngā tīma e rua—ko ngā Toa o Taupō ki uta, ko ngā Popoto o California ki tai.
Nā te whānau Going, he uri nō Te Tai Tokerau, i koha tēnei kākahu. Hei tohu whakamahara hoki tēnei ki a Zion Going, i kahu ai i te kākahu o ngā Popoto o California i mua, ā, i whakatā ai i te whakahorapatanga o te māuiui. Ko ngā huinga kura kahu e whakaata ana i te mana o Ngāpuhi, te hohonu o te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, me te tūmanako o te rā e whiti ana ki California.
Ki te tīma ka toa i tēnei rā: Mā tēnei kākahu koutou e tiaki, e whakamana. Whakahonoretia te keemu, puritia te mauri o te korowai nei hei hāpai i te iwi.
Okioki mai rā i runga i te rangimārie.
English Translation
To all peoples, all voices, and all nations gathered, greetings to you all.
This sacred cloak stands as a mantle of prestige, protection, and the unbreakable unity between two teams—the Taupō Toa of the inland waters, and the California Grizzlies of the distant shores.
Gifted proudly by the Going family, descendants of Northland (Te Tai Tokerau), this treasure is presented in enduring honour of Zion Going, who proudly wore the California Grizzlies jersey before illness forced his retirement from the game. The colors woven into this cape reflect the strength of the Ngāpuhi people, the depth of the Pacific Ocean that connects us, and the bright sun of the Golden State.
To the team that triumphs today: Let this cloak protect you and uphold your honor. Respect the game, and carry the spirit of this korowai to lift your people forward.
May you stand in strength and peace.
------------------------------
Following traditional Māori protocol (tikanga), THE "HE HONONGA KI TE MOANA" TROPHY will undergo a formal karakia (sacred water blessing) conducted by New Zealand elders before the first match takes place. It will travel with the reigning champions, defending its mantle whenever and wherever the two teams face each other.