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Fiji

Walter sobchak

First Grade
Messages
5,845
2 quick points/questions about Fiji.

1. Is the NSW cup Fijian franchise definitely happening and if yes when?

2. With all the exciting Fijian talent currently playing in the NRL can we seriously fast track these guys into tier 1 by giving them a clear and long term international calendar??
 

hutch

First Grade
Messages
6,810
2 quick points/questions about Fiji.

1. Is the NSW cup Fijian franchise definitely happening and if yes when?

2. With all the exciting Fijian talent currently playing in the NRL can we seriously fast track these guys into tier 1 by giving them a clear and long term international calendar??

1 - apparently next year, but it’s rughy league so who knows.

2 - they need a regular schedule for the next decade, as do all nations. If they win the Oceania shield they will be promoted to the Oceania cup the following year. But they will never be tier 1, nor will other pacific nations and its better this way as they will always rely on dual qualified players and don’t have any financial power. The only nation that could ever join the big 3 as a “tier 1” nations is France.
 

titoelcolombiano

First Grade
Messages
5,276
Big Petero told me that they will be playing next year. The Aus Government funding helped get it over the line.

In terms of them competing internationally with the big boys, they are already serial world cup semi-finalists so give them 10 years or so (PNG probably in the same boat) and they could be a competitive fourth nation.
 

Walter sobchak

First Grade
Messages
5,845
Big Petero told me that they will be playing next year. The Aus Government funding helped get it over the line.

In terms of them competing internationally with the big boys, they are already serial world cup semi-finalists so give them 10 years or so (PNG probably in the same boat) and they could be a competitive fourth nation.
That’s great news regarding the NSW cup franchise. I’d put Fiji well ahead of PNG in terms of being that competitive 4th nation as they already have a team of players playing in the NRL and NSW&queensland cup even before the Fijian NSW cup franchise team.

Maybe the likes of semi radradra and koribtite could make a comeback to the NRL someday??
 

stormbati

Bench
Messages
3,088
This NSW Cup team is a must now that World Rugby have released the World League proposal which will most likely feature Fiji competing annually against Tier 1 Nations including the All-Blacks. It’s not over the line yet but if it happens it will be a huge boost for Rugby Union in Fiji.
The one thing Rugby League do have a major advantage over Union in Fiji is the top level club competition (NRL) and Australia being so close to Fiji and this is where the NSW Cup Team come into play.
With the current rules in Super Rugby, Fijians (and other Pacific Islanders) who are not eligible for the Wallabies and All-Blacks are forced to play club Rugby in Europe.

The World Nines will also be a factor now depending on if and how it expands. If there is a future to Nines that is somewhat similar to the IRB Sevens circuit then Fijians have another pathway to the NSW cup and the NRL.
 

Walter sobchak

First Grade
Messages
5,845
This NSW Cup team is a must now that World Rugby have released the World League proposal which will most likely feature Fiji competing annually against Tier 1 Nations including the All-Blacks. It’s not over the line yet but if it happens it will be a huge boost for Rugby Union in Fiji.
The one thing Rugby League do have a major advantage over Union in Fiji is the top level club competition (NRL) and Australia being so close to Fiji and this is where the NSW Cup Team come into play.
With the current rules in Super Rugby, Fijians (and other Pacific Islanders) who are not eligible for the Wallabies and All-Blacks are forced to play club Rugby in Europe.

The World Nines will also be a factor now depending on if and how it expands. If there is a future to Nines that is somewhat similar to the IRB Sevens circuit then Fijians have another pathway to the NSW cup and the NRL.
Are 7’s more popular in Fiji than the 15 man game?
 

Walter sobchak

First Grade
Messages
5,845
Fiji u20’s national side will take part in next months u20’s world championship held in Argentina and if I was involved with any NRL club I’d advise them to send scouts to the tournament to checkout any potential RL players.
 

Whatwhere

Juniors
Messages
365
This NSW Cup team is a must now that World Rugby have released the World League proposal which will most likely feature Fiji competing annually against Tier 1 Nations including the All-Blacks. It’s not over the line yet but if it happens it will be a huge boost for Rugby Union in Fiji.
The one thing Rugby League do have a major advantage over Union in Fiji is the top level club competition (NRL) and Australia being so close to Fiji and this is where the NSW Cup Team come into play.
With the current rules in Super Rugby, Fijians (and other Pacific Islanders) who are not eligible for the Wallabies and All-Blacks are forced to play club Rugby in Europe.

The World Nines will also be a factor now depending on if and how it expands. If there is a future to Nines that is somewhat similar to the IRB Sevens circuit then Fijians have another pathway to the NSW cup and the NRL.

There's also the Fiji Lautai who will be playing in the first full season of GRR next year alongside Kafiga Samoa and evidently a Hawai'i based team which from reports will also draw heavily from the Islands.
 

Shark62

Juniors
Messages
2,497
There's also the Fiji Lautai who will be playing in the first full season of GRR next year alongside Kafiga Samoa and evidently a Hawai'i based team which from reports will also draw heavily from the Islands.
Presenting this many opportunities to young players in both codes throughout the pacific can’t be a bad thing. They can pick and choose and drive their own market value.
 
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