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The gap between Australia, New Zealand and the rest of the Pacific in terms of International Rugby League is undeniably significant, as we have seen in the current Four Nations.
The best way to improve the playing capacity of countries like Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea is to get as many players from these countries playing in the NRL as possible and at a young age.
To do this an annual Pacific Islands Draft should be implemented.
As Rugby Union is the main sport in the Pacific, the Rugby League International Federation and NRL would need to make it attractive to the individual by emphasising the benefits of the Draft, such as a contract with an NRL club, potentially a better standard of living, education, a guaranteed income, ability to send money home etc.
Therefore, these individuals would be willing to not only relocate to another country to further their career, but in some circumstances swap Union for League.
Although the competitiveness of the Pacific countries may take some time to come to fruition, other benefits would also arise from the implementation of a Draft.
The interest in Rugby League may increase, which may improve participation levels and lead to League challenging Union for the preferred sport in the Pacific; the expansion of available talent pool to the NRL, and struggling NRL clubs having priority picks.
Socially, the Draft can have a positive impact on the players’ communities and the players themselves, through greater access to education, and of course money.
However, the biggest problem that may arise from the Draft is how to stop the Pacific Islanders from changing their allegiance from their homelands to Australia or New Zealand.
The attraction of electing to play for Australia or New Zealand is A) more representative games, and B) the money paid to players selected in these rep teams. To remove this attraction, points A & B need to be made available to the Pacific Island players.
The solution, perhaps, is during the State of Origin period, a combined Pacific Island Team (similar to that of the West Indies Cricket Team) could play a 3 match test series against New Zealand. Through this Test Series points A & B are achieved. In order for the Test series to be successful it will need to be competitive, therefore it should commence only after the Draft has been up and running for a number of years.
Other questions that need to be answered about the Draft include:
A) How many Draftees will there be?
B) Will there be the same number of Draftees from each country?
C) What will be the age of Draftees?
D) Will the Draftees be exempt from the salary cap?
E) How many years will the Draftees be exempt from the salary cap?
F) What time of year should the Draft be held?
G) Can clubs exchange Draft picks with other clubs for players?
H) Should a Pacific Island Academy be set up?
I) Should New Zealand have its own Draft system, with all top picks going to the Warriors?
J) Should each Draftee be made to undergo compulsory referee training, thus if a Draftee chooses to return home or is no longer wanted by the club, these players can potentially strengthen Rugby League in their homelands by knowing the rules inside out?
K) Should we look at adopting successful Draft systems from other codes, ie. AFL, NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB?
Implemented and promoted in the right way a Pacific Island Draft system could have a significant impact on not only the NRL and International Rugby League but the wider Pacific sporting landscape and community.
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