NRL threat could lead to rugby tragedy: Fijian Drua chairman Brent Impey urges Australian government to help
A Pacific rugby heavyweight has raised concerns about the impact the NRL’s Papua New Guinea side will have and urged Prime Minster Anthony Albanese not to forget the 15-man code.
Fijian Drua’s chairman has urged the Albanese government to prevent “a tragedy” in the Pacific Islands by supporting local rugby unions in the face of a new rugby league threat.
When the Australian government announced a
$600 million package for the NRL’s Papua New Guinea team, rugby powerbrokers in the Pacific were stunned to learn that $250 million of that money had been set aside for league pathway programs not only in PNG,
but also in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
While it is obviously part of Australia’s diplomatic strategy to combat China’s rapidly growing influence in the region, there could be major ramifications for the sport of choice on the islands.
Drua’s chairman, Brent Impey, told Code Sports it is imperative Australia also aids rugby as the NRL seeks to lure talent away from the 15-man code.
“For the NRL to get a team from PNG it needs substantial support, there’s no debate about that,” Impey said.
“On the issue of rugby union, that is the national sport of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. And it’s of considerable concern that the Australian government would not be supporting the national sport.
“And that’s why there’s been a backlash, particularly from the national rugby unions of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
“If the NRL is going to come in and swamp it, that’s going to be incredibly challenging for the governments of those countries where rugby union is a national sport.
“And I see there’s a real chance of working together on this, and that’s got to be the answer. And that can only be led by the Australian government because it’s the funder.
“It’s got to find a way to make sure that while it’s a great thing for young Samoans and Tongans that they can come and play in the NRL, it is a tragedy if it destroys rugby union in those countries.”
At a senate estimates hearing last week, Liberal senator Jessica Collins asked DFAT’s head of the office of the Pacific, Elizabeth Peak, if she was aware “the NRL is now going to high schools in Fiji and somewhere in Tonga … and trying to flip rugby union schools to rugby league”.
Senator Collins added: “If we are trying to do sports diplomacy, I feel like this could have colonial intonations to it”.
Peak said she was unaware of schools being flipped, adding that the resources for the Pacific would benefit other sports by virtue of upgrading local ovals and gyms.
Code Sports understands that the Australian government is in the midst of negotiations with Fiji, Samoa and Tonga for a $150 million funding injection into their rugby programs, which is being considered.
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