Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Fijian Super Rugby franchise plans well advanced - report

LONDON (Reuters) - Plans to establish a Super Rugby franchise in Fiji to stop top players leaving the Pacific Islands are well advanced and have over 20 million pounds in backing, the Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday.

Fijian Super Rugby franchise plans well advanced - report
(Reuters)

The team would be based in a 20,000-seater stadium close to Fiji's airport with four large international companies and two major kit manufacturers prepared to fund the project, the paper said.

About 19 percent of the world's professional rugby players are originally from the Pacific Islands but many represent world champions New Zealand, Australia, France and England after qualifying under residency rules.

"I believe the impact of this plan would see Fiji win the World Cup one day," said Ben Ryan, the English coach who led his adopted country to the Olympic sevens gold medal this year.

"We have shown in sevens what we can do and if you just look at the impact the Fiji players are having on the tier one countries, they are their star players in New Zealand, Australia, England and France."

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Ryan said in future it was vital to keep the top players in the Pacific Islands.

"It is not pie in the sky," he added. "Pick a world XV from the players that are playing outside Fiji and Samoa in the other international teams and you would get a team that is there or thereabouts."

Some of the world's largest companies with links to the Pacific Islands are supporting the plan, giving the potential new franchise more money than any other Super Rugby team.

"We could make them the best club side in the world. Imagine the talent we have got in France? They would all be on the first flight back," Ryan said.

He has discussed the proposals with World Rugby which has set up a working group to review residency rules.

Fijian-born back-row forward Nathan Hughes made his England debut last weekend and could start against his home country on Saturday.

Ryan believes a Super Rugby franchise in Fiji and the possibility of another one in Tonga would have more impact on the player exodus than extending residency qualifications from three to five years.

"Ever since I went to the island I've been thinking about how we get Fiji, Tonga and Samoa to be consistent World Cup quarter-finalists and knocking on the doors of the semi-finals," he said.

"The number one thing is to have a Super Rugby franchise. It is the simplest way of doing it. It sends the strongest message and would reap the quickest results."

(Reporting by Ed Osmond; Editing by Tony Jimenez)


3 min read

Published

Source: Reuters



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world