-
ESPN staff
The Pacific Islands remain a focal point among other developing nations for World Rugby as it continues its progression towards a Nations League, sources have confirmed.
The rugby world reacted with anger Thursday to a New Zealand Herald article that a 12-team World League would be set up from 2020, with the United States and Japan to join the four existing Rugby Championship nations, and their Six Nations counterparts, under the proposal.
That would see the likes of Fiji and European improvers, Georgia, excluded, while the Herald also reported there would be no promotion or relegation for at least 12 years.
The rumoured 12-team league would be a slap in the face for Fiji and their Pacific Island neighbours, Samoa and Tonga, who have long been competitive at the Rugby World Cup and whom have added a real point-of-difference to the international game.
But ESPN understands Fiji, at least, have not been locked out of any planned competition, nor does World Rugby want to run a closed tournament.
Currently ranked No.9, Fiji, in particular, deserve to sit at the top tier of international rugby and would likely be far more competitive than both Japan and United States if they were added to the Rugby Championship from next year.
Wallabies prop and Rugby Union Players Association [RUPA] board member Scott Sio, who has strong Samoan heritage, threw his support behind the Pacific nations.
“It would be a huge missed opportunity for both the island nations, but for World Rugby in general, to see the best players from all countries around the world compete,” Sio said in his position as Brumbies Player Director for RUPA. “I have a lot of friends who aspire to play for Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, and for them to miss out on this opportunity wouldn’t be great for the growth of the game globally.
Later Thursday, World Rugby moved to clarify its position following the Herald’s article, issuing a statement that declared a number of the reported changes to the competition structure to be “inaccurate”.
Given the various stakeholders in the game, it is far from an easy process delivering a structure which serves the best interests of as many people in the game, from players to national Unions, their geographical alliances and rugby fans across the world alike.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew issued a statement alluding to that difficulty on Friday, referencing the plight of the Pacific as well as his own backyard from the outset.
“New Zealand Rugby continues to advocate for an international rugby calendar that ensures the future growth of the game in New Zealand and around the world, including the Pacific,” Tew said.
“World Rugby and the national unions including New Zealand Rugby have been working hard to increase the meaning and value of international test matches. It is well documented that the game is under pressure to grow revenues so the game from the community level up can thrive,” Tew said.
“It is obvious that here in New Zealand we are under pressure to retain our top talent as the international player and coach market continues to be challenging. In addition we have a huge opportunity to grow the woman’s game in this country that will also require new resources.”
“We are all working hard to find a balance between a model that delivers what fans are demanding, the welfare of our players, while at the same time ensuring we are preserving the integrity of rugby and providing a pathway for the smaller and developing nations here in Oceania but all around the world to develop and participate.”