In Samoa, World Rugby are claiming that they’re doing the right thing by donating 1.5m annually, But this isn’t the best we can do.
Here are some ideas to bring about genuinely positive changes.
Stadiums
A smart move would be to maybe invest in a large stadium(s) in the Pacific.
These could host Super Rugby Whether in a Pacific team context or just in the context of a game being taken to the Islands, IPRC if Fiji potentially get a team, NRC.
Let’s get to internationals
Samoa hosted Wales, Fiji played Scotland and Italy, Tonga were all set to take on Wales at home before it was moved to Eden Park due to surface issues.
So there definitely would be matches played on the new ground(s) if this became a probability.
Participation
Alright we’ve made a start here with Fiji in the NRC, Fiji in the Brisbane 10s (previously Samoa).
The obvious one is Super Rugby. If SANZAAR instated a team from Samoa for example, that could leave room for a IPRC team from Fiji or Tonga.
The best part is that it would keep players at home without them getting contracted to an Aussie/Kiwi Super Rugby side. Then they get the feather in the cap which is to represent their home nation rather than a residential country.
Competition
For these sides to improve they need to be playing top-class opposition on a regular basis. When they play sides like England, Ireland, France etc, it is almost always away from home. Same goes for (rare) games against New Zealand and Australia.
Lucrative gate receipts for Six Nations sides ensure they have a large financial advantage over tier 2 nations in general. If WR could possibly impose a rule about sharing a percentage of the gate receipts for games involving tier 1 nations hosting tier 2 sides, this could lead to these countries having more financial security.
Also many have called for an HSBC Sevens leg to be held in Fiji. This is definitely an idea to be taken seriously, especially if the Hamilton tournament doesn’t work out.
Just look at the Oceania Sevens as a model of how well it could be hosted in Fiji/Samoa/Tonga or even in a lesser rugby country such as Cook Islands or Papua New Guinea
Much of what has to be done requires WR to take active steps. A lot of it depends on the main European nations taking on some responsibility – I mean, they sure take a mighty lot of Polynesian talent.
Everyone loves seeing the Pacific nations play. Making this a more regular thing must be big on the priority list.
kasi apuula
Roar Rookie
so you've been to games in those countries?
richard
Guest
I think we would all like this,but in the real world simply won't happen.Pretty much all the talent goes one way i.e north.Why would they saddle themselves with the burden of extra costs?
P2R2
Roar Rookie
...and their emigrant population forms a large part of the player base in Australia and new Zealand.... that is true in part because the player population base in NZ are BORN in NZ.. and there are alot of them....and some in AUS...NZ contributes more NZ-born players to the Samoan Team than the Samoan-born players....so go figure...
P2R2
Roar Rookie
...3. Introduce Transfer Fees so that countries of origin benefit from players they have created and developed.... This is the very best idea....once transfer fees are set in concrete - see all the NH teams forking out mega-bucks...to PI player nations - and of course that will include AUS and NZ...
terry tavita
Roar Rookie
yes you can..they're samoans..
In brief
Guest
'When league gets a foothold it grows' - what utter rubbish. Is that why the sport is booming around the world?
In brief
Guest
Apart from the fact it is..
tc
Guest
Some sites say Rugby Union is the national sport of Madagascar, while others say it shares that position with Football. Whether 'World Rugby's' participation figures can be trusted is up for debate, but one thing is for sure, Rugby is played extensively throughout the country, and enjoys a lot of media coverage, and that is despite the sport not being professional. There are many metrics used for assessing a sports popularity. For example, more people play Association Football then Grid Iron in the USA, does that mean Association Football is bigger then American Football, I think we all know the answer to that. The same argument could be used in Australian between Association Football and Australian Football/Rugby League. Well, the same argument is used in South Africa when it comes to Association Football and Rugby Union. We can all nitpick over facts and figures, but it's safe to say, Association Football is massive compared to Rugby Union, and Rugby Union is massive compared to Rugby League.
Brainstrust
Guest
one game away?, they finishedwell behind Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. Namibia used to be part of SOuth Africa and their team is mostly from a tiny white minority. Zimbabwe didn;t get through the play offs. Kenya do have a big presence in rugby sevens and have performed in that.. Madagascar no way rugby is their national sport,
Brainstrust
Guest
It is New Zealands fault because they have been the ones who excluded the Pacific islands. Fiji has more money than the others and would have no problem running and funding a super rugby team. They were included in the original super rugby comp as well. A super rugby team from FIji makes a lot more sense travel wise. SUper rugby should have been Aus,NZ and the PAcific islands. SOuth Africa could run their own version with some of the African nations.
mtiger
Guest
This is great news for sports, and for NRL. What it shows, RA should really look how to NRLise its competitions, and funding.
tc
Guest
WOW, people in Fiji are wearing league jumpers during a world cup, and Tonga's Prime Minister wants more people playing league. If I was given a dollar every time I heard the same kind of feel good story about Rugby I would be rich. Just one example to burst your bubble about Pacific Rugby, was when Fiji played Samoa at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The 50,000 strong crowd were deeply passionate, eventhough they knew it was a long shot to make the finals. It takes a lot of grassroots investment to grow a football code in a new location, so you can't just turn up and expect people to fall to their knees. The only thing League is offering the Pacific Islands is the NRL, that means there are no foundational structures being built. Conversely, Rugby Union has all the different layers in place, from school boy Rugby to international fixtures. The only thing missing is some kind of professional comp, and everybody knows why that is. The only threat being played out here is the one against League in its own backyard,
Johhno
Guest
world rugby should give more moeny to the PI's as they are the most passionate rugby fans in the world, fans in romania and georgia and brazil and italy don't get as passionate as PI rugby fans.
Johhno
Guest
You are saying not so super, bleating rugby fans have to get over the fact the 3-tiny pacific nations national 15's teams are not that important in the bigger rugby picture and teams like Wales/Italy/Scotland/Argentina more rugby fans in the world in pure numbers would like to watch and they bring in more money. And all this special relationship rugby has with pacific islands is just a myth..
AussieIrish
Guest
Sorry, but once League gets a foothold it grows. A friend of mine was holidaying in Fiji when the League held is three side series. Crowds everywhere wearing the Fiji League jumper. That game is growing and with the incentive of playing in Australia. Tonga is turning towards League. The Country shut down during the League World Cup games. The King of Tonga went to the game in New Zealand. He has been quoted as saying he would encourage more League to played in Tonga. WR must spend more in the Pacific. Although Madagascar has a large population and plays Rugby, you don't see the domination of Madagascans like Pacific Islanders in world Rugby. Don't pretend that League is not threatening Rugby in the Pacific. The loss of the Pacific would be hugely detrimental to Rugby and having seen AFL decimate Rugby clubs in my area, I don't look forward to League doing the same to Rugby in the Pacific.
Terry Tavita
Guest
don't have to worry about that because australian rugby doesn't offer super rugby contract to any pacific island representative players..
Terry Tavita
Guest
island players systematically barred from super rugby is not fair play..
woodart
Guest
best idea here. yanks must have an old aircraft carrier lying around.
kasi apuula
Roar Rookie
They were actually only a game away from qualifying for the 2015 world cup. But i don't think that was TC's point.
not so super
Guest
yeah madagascar are great at rugby