The government of Fiji officially entered the race to be the NRL's 18th franchise on Wednesday.
Bid director Bev Broughton - the widow of legendary league official Paul Broughton - personally visited the NRL to deliver a Fiji letter endorsing the bid.
The Fiji bid now shapes as a major rival to Papua New Guinea as the NRL's much-anticipated 18th franchise.
"This has been a long time in the making and it was a proud moment for Fiji to officially deliver the notification to Peter V'landys and Andrew Abdo at the NRL," Broughton told
Wide World of Sports.
"The cabinet approved the bid unanimously and the people of Fiji are desperate to be part of the NRL.
"It was great to get the support of the prime minister, the head of state, all the cabinet ministers, especially the minister for youth and sports, Mr Jese Saukuru.
"We already have great infrastructure, the government has approved a 200 per cent tax rebate for sponsors and as everyone knows, the Fijians are tremendous athletes who know how to play rugby league.
"The game is taught in schools and Fiji already has a team in the Jersey Flegg Cup.
"Most significantly, Fiji is a much loved destination for Australians and we can see fans coming over here for a holiday when their team plays here, much like they did in Las Vegas.
"We are well organised and we are ready to go."
Broughton knows what it takes to get an NRL franchise up and running - along with husband Paul she was instrumental in getting a rugby league club on the Gold Coast in the mid-2000s.
The bid will host an official launch in the Fijian capital of Suva in coming weeks and will invite Vlandys, Abdo, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and a host of dignitaries.
'Long time in the making'
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