NEW ZEALAND RUGBY has issued licences for two Pacific island teams to join Super Rugby from next year, in a major milestone for the long-awaited expansion.
The two teams — Fiji Drua and Moana Pasifika — must still have their finances approved before they can participate, but World Rugby last month said it was helping boost their coffers.
“We are now on the cusp of realising a long-held desire to include Pasifika in our professional game and the opportunity to embrace all that comes with that,” former Samoa and All Black legend Michael Jones said.
An estimated 20% of elite rugby players worldwide have Pacific heritage but top talent is almost always lured offshore because the islands lack a professional team competition.
Advertisement
The aim is for Fiji Drua and Moana Pasifika to fill that gap, allowing the island nations of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa to reap the rewards of their rich rugby heritage.
Their inclusion in Super Rugby next year means the 2022 season would have 12 teams, five New Zealand, five Australian and two Pacific.
However, the New Zealanders — who emerged as Super Rugby’s de facto powerbroker in the coronavirus era — have made clear that any Pacific teams must be commercially viable and well governed.
“We have confidence that Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua will be able to meet the conditions of the licence, which includes final sign off on a sustainable business plan by 30 June,” NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said.
World Rugby is providing the Tonga, Fiji and Samoa rugby union with a collective €3.7 million over three years to help cover costs, as well as supplying administrative and high-performance expertise.
The Fiji Drua would be Suva-based and Moana Pasifika would be based in New Zealand, probably Auckland, focusing on attracting players from Samoa and Tonga.
Fiji Rugby Union Chair Conway Begg said having the licence allowed the team to finalise sponsorships, appoint coaches and contract players.
“We are on the home stretch and excitement is building across Fiji,” he said.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
6 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Fiji Drua and Moana Pasifika teams get licences to join Super Rugby next year
NEW ZEALAND RUGBY has issued licences for two Pacific island teams to join Super Rugby from next year, in a major milestone for the long-awaited expansion.
The two teams — Fiji Drua and Moana Pasifika — must still have their finances approved before they can participate, but World Rugby last month said it was helping boost their coffers.
“We are now on the cusp of realising a long-held desire to include Pasifika in our professional game and the opportunity to embrace all that comes with that,” former Samoa and All Black legend Michael Jones said.
An estimated 20% of elite rugby players worldwide have Pacific heritage but top talent is almost always lured offshore because the islands lack a professional team competition.
The aim is for Fiji Drua and Moana Pasifika to fill that gap, allowing the island nations of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa to reap the rewards of their rich rugby heritage.
Their inclusion in Super Rugby next year means the 2022 season would have 12 teams, five New Zealand, five Australian and two Pacific.
However, the New Zealanders — who emerged as Super Rugby’s de facto powerbroker in the coronavirus era — have made clear that any Pacific teams must be commercially viable and well governed.
“We have confidence that Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua will be able to meet the conditions of the licence, which includes final sign off on a sustainable business plan by 30 June,” NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said.
World Rugby is providing the Tonga, Fiji and Samoa rugby union with a collective €3.7 million over three years to help cover costs, as well as supplying administrative and high-performance expertise.
The Fiji Drua would be Suva-based and Moana Pasifika would be based in New Zealand, probably Auckland, focusing on attracting players from Samoa and Tonga.
Fiji Rugby Union Chair Conway Begg said having the licence allowed the team to finalise sponsorships, appoint coaches and contract players.
“We are on the home stretch and excitement is building across Fiji,” he said.
© – AFP, 2021
Subscribe to The42 Rugby Weekly podcast here:
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Fiji Drua join the club Moana Pasifika Super Rugby