Fijian team for the NSW cup?

[CQ Italia]

#unsustainable

Doubters fuel dreams

 

[CQ Italia]

Fijian footy still at the forefront for Civoniceva

While nations like South Africa, Lebanon, Canada and Spain continue to fight for qualification for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, Fiji is sitting pretty knowing they have automatically carved themselves a place in the upcoming tournament.
But that isn't enough, especially for the face of Fijian football – former Broncos, Panthers, Maroons and Kangaroos prop Petero Civoniceva – as he continues to work behind the scenes to build the bigger picture of rugby league in Fiji.
While building blocks have been laid over the past two World Cups with Fiji making the semi-finals in their last two attempts (52-0 and 64-0 losses to Australia in 2008 and 2013 respectively) Civoniceva is still looking to create legitimate pathways for the Bati including hopes for a Fijian team to be introduced into the NSW Cup in 2017.
"It would be nice to have overnight success but it's going to take a while. We have to build our own development programs in the country first and hopefully then they'll be the cornerstones, the foundations, the building blocks of creating a really strong national team moving forward," Civoniceva told NRL.com.
"We have been buoyed by the success we had in the last World Cup but obviously there's a long way to go if we are to compete with the likes of New Zealanders and the Australians. It's been amazing to see what Samoa did at the past Four Nations so it gives us hope and we're definitely on the right track.
"[The NSW Cup team hope] all looks really positive. We're just waiting I guess for the green light from the NRL and NSWRL. We're working really hard in the background trying to build on our progress and hopefully we'll be pushing to play in the 2017 season."
Imperatively the success of Fijian players in the NRL will act as a cornerstone for the locals to jump across from the favoured rugby union to rugby league.
Players like Eels winger Semi Radradra, Storm powerhouse Marika Koroibete, Knights trio Akuila Uate, Tariq and Korbin Sims and Wests Tigers three-quarter Kevin Naiqama are examples of who Fijian rugby league are relying on to succeed.
"The way the game has grown in Fiji has been phenomenal and the interest of rugby league and players like Semi Radradra and Marika Koroibete has certainly helped that," Civoniceva said.
"I know we're trying to create an opportunity for the local players to come across and hopefully we'll be seeing another Semi or another Marika. That's the most exciting thing about it; they're building those pathways for these players.
"Rugby union is Fiji's number one code but the tide is certainly starting to turn because of the amount of rugby league that's shown on free-to-air TV, and there's interest there from the young players now wanting to participate in rugby league.
"Bringing a NSW Cup side into the country will only lessen Union's stranglehold on the country."

http://www.nrl.com/fijian-footy-sti...oniceva/tabid/10874/newsid/90462/default.aspx

 

[roughyedspud]

This model should be the blueprint for stepping up the development pathway for the "2nd tier" nations..

NZ have a domestic league and a team playing in a higher comp,the warriors in the NRL

FRANCE have a domestic league and two teams playing in a higher comp,Catalan in ESL & Toulouse in uk league 1

PNG have a domestic league with a team playing in a higher comp,the hunters in QLD cup

Wales have a domestic league with two teams playing in a higher comp,north & south Wales in uk league one.

Fiji are well on their way

Scotland & ireland really need to sort their domestic leagues out..even if it's just 6 teams..and then from that look at getting the "Irish wolfhound's" & "scottish bravehearts" into UK league one one day...

 

[adamkungl]

This model should be the blueprint for stepping up the development pathway for the "2nd tier" nations..

NZ have a domestic league and a team playing in a higher comp,the warriors in the NRL

FRANCE have a domestic league and two teams playing in a higher comp,Catalan in ESL & Toulouse in uk league 1

PNG have a domestic league with a team playing in a higher comp,the hunters in QLD cup

Wales have a domestic league with two teams playing in a higher comp,north & south Wales in uk league one.

Fiji are well on their way

Scotland & ireland really need to sort their domestic leagues out..even if it's just 6 teams..and then from that look at getting the "Irish wolfhound's" & "scottish bravehearts" into UK league one one day...

Yep that'd be great.

The next step obviously would be the mythical, much anticipated French or Euro pro-league, which could include an entry each from Spain and Italy.

 

[DlEHARD]

Bring em in! Ill buy a jersey and a membership.

 

[LeagueXIII]

I also think rather than an Adelaide team in the NRL they could have one in this comp.

 

[flamin]

What the ARLC want to do is strengthen the quality and profile of the 2nd tier comps. These comps then offer real opportunities to grow the game in new regions without the costs involved in an NRL team.

 

[deal.with.it]

Not to mention these 2 comps have been rebranded with sponsors and no longer bare qld or nsw in their names. You could have adelaide and fiji in the ISP and png in ISC

 

[Scubby]

This will be an ideal way forward for NRL clubs. Try before you buy, and really good ones can get a 3-year NRL club contract and qualify for Australia at the end of it.

 

[Craigo]

It would be nice to see the NSW Cup on FTA TV. 7mate show club Rugby so maybe they could show a game or two of NSW Cup.

 

[adamkungl]

I also think rather than an Adelaide team in the NRL they could have one in this comp.

Fiji actually has players.. Adelaide?

 

[Sinman]

Yeah I don't mind the idea of Adelaide but really the Pacific Islands should be a priority.. In many senses they are already strong.. If they were all able to pick their best team available (including the likes of Milford playing for samoa) you have some really good teams.. So supporting the Pacific Islands in ways like this one even if it costs a bit at first can fast track the growth of International Rugby League..

 

[siv]

Not sure being a feeder will help international RL

As soon as they get discovered their manager convinces them to play SOO

 

[Sinman]

Not sure being a feeder will help international RL

As soon as they get discovered their manager convinces them to play SOO

All bitterness aside.. surely that rule will be looked at now.. they changed the origin rules.. they actually are willing to tinker with the rules at times.. we have a guy actually working for the international game.. surely something will be adjusted because of the Semi Radradra stuff.. Yes it should have happened and been change when Uate switched.. but this time there is much more of an uproar about it.. the mainstream media and decision makers actually care.. so surely something will actually be done!!

 

[hutch]

Not sure being a feeder will help international RL

As soon as they get discovered their manager convinces them to play SOO

They will never be eligible for origin.

And even if they do get picked up by an NRL club and want to switch to Aus or NZ after 3 years, we will have dozens of Fijian rugby league players playing rugby league at nsw/qld cup level for the first time in our sports history.

 

[yakstorm]

Even if they don't change the rules, not all of them can play for Australia or New Zealand. Currently we have around 22 Fiji eligible players contracted to NRL clubs. Adding this club instantly adds another 25 professional Fijians to the pool.

This pretty much doubles the pool instantly (not considering the Fiji eligible players in the UK or only contracted to NSW or Qld Cup teams) and will be great for the long term development of Fiji at the international level.

One of the great strengths of these Pacific nations in the second tier competitions is they are 100% geared to development. They can't pay enough or are based in areas where they are going to attract journeymen from Australia, New Zealand or England, so all squad positions go to locals.

As other clubs realise the talent from these nations, the pool just conyinues to grow.

If the state based Under 20s competitions return next year, I hope the intention is for Fiji to have a side in that too (PNG has already said they'll enter if they're allowed).

This again just drastically grows the pool.

 

[Sinman]

The under 20's idea could be even more of a benefit.. Wellington should join as well if they start opening it up in that way

 

[bowes]

This model should be the blueprint for stepping up the development pathway for the "2nd tier" nations..

NZ have a domestic league and a team playing in a higher comp,the warriors in the NRL

FRANCE have a domestic league and two teams playing in a higher comp,Catalan in ESL & Toulouse in uk league 1

PNG have a domestic league with a team playing in a higher comp,the hunters in QLD cup

Wales have a domestic league with two teams playing in a higher comp,north & south Wales in uk league one.

Fiji are well on their way

Scotland & ireland really need to sort their domestic leagues out..even if it's just 6 teams..and then from that look at getting the "Irish wolfhound's" & "scottish bravehearts" into UK league one one day...

Wales have 5 clubs playing in higher competitions than the domestic league, though that model doesn't necessarily translate to other nations. Ireland have about 12 clubs, the only problem is they split them into three tiny leagues

 

[latingringo101]

I can't wait to see the Fijian NSW Cup team play in Sydney!

 

[flamin]

http://fijisun.com.fj/2016/04/14/fiji-nsw-cup-bid-allowing-contenders-for-equal-partnership/

Petero Civoniceva’s group, which has been working to get a Fijian team in the New South Wales Cup Rugby League Competition, is willing to consider new partners – if they can contribute financially.

This was in reaction to the late call by Fiji National Rugby League to be an equal partner.

The bid for Fiji’s rugby league participation at the 2017 New South Wales (NSW) Cup is now going through the final process.

The Fiji NSW Cup Bid released a statement to SUNSports stating they are allowing contenders for equal partnership and discussions will proceed.

“We are open to accepting equity partners who can and will contribute long term value to the NSW Cup bid team and that we will have these discussions and make a decision in due course.”

FNRL chief executive officer Timoci Naleba had earlier said: “No doubt that the initiative looks good on paper, but there is still a lot to be considered on the viability of the project.”

On the NSW Cup bid, Naleba says, FNRL is confident that bid team co-ordinator and rugby league legend Civoniceva will be supportive of FNRL’s stand and they are looking forward to closing the deal soon.

“Secondly, the FNRL board have made it clear that it would like to be an equal partner.”

Naleba said there have been discussions on the issue and hopefully FNRL would be able to sign-up with the bid team and others involved on mutually agreed terms.

Despite questions, SUNSports is yet to receive a response from FNRL on their source of funding for an equal partnership.