Pacific team gateway to US
A Pacific Island Super Rugby team could be a gateway to the lucrative American market.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has released a copy, under the Official Information Act, of their feasibility study into a potential Super Rugby side based in the Pacific Islands.
Parts of the $80,000 study are redacted, particularly regarding key financial information for any Pacific bid, but it shows a desire to tap into a large base of Pacific Island people living in the United States.
It highlights the possibility of hosting a game each season outside of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, with California and Hawaii likely destinations.
‘‘To be truly sustainable, the Super team requires a strong and wide supporter base,’’ the report reads.
‘‘Samoa (364,000) has the largest number of expats living in NZ, Australia and USA followed by Tonga (142,000) and then Fiji (103,500).’’
The report states that more than 250,000 people from the three nations live in the United States, many of whom are in California.
A game could be taken to Honolulu, San Francisco, Los Angeles or Salt Lake City, given large Pacific populations in those cities. ‘‘It will be essential that at least one home game is sold to a non-Pacific host, such as Auckland, West Coast of USA, [or] Asia.’’
However, the report says it is vital that the team is based in the Pacific Islands, rather than abroad, to ensure a large, stable support base.
‘‘Options which have been publicly discussed include the Pacific Islands [likely Fiji], Auckland, East Coast of Australia and Hawaii.
‘‘It is our view that the team should be based in the Pacific Islands.
‘‘Playing the majority of home games in Auckland or Sydney would not have the same impact or attraction as playing home games in Suva, Apia or Nuku’alofa,’’ the report says.
ANZ Stadium in Suva, Teufaiva Sport Stadium in Nuku’alofa and Apia Park in Samoa were all deemed suitable for hosting Super Rugby matches.
The real question surrounding the potential franchise, then, remains around financial concerns.
It is made clear in the report that financial backing would be needed from private entities, while government support from the Pacific nations would also be crucial.
A small support base in the Islands would be offset, the report states, by ‘‘the likely frenetic support’’ they would receive.
That said, ticket prices were suggested to sit between $20 and $50 for home games. In 2017, a Super Rugby game held in Suva saw tickets range from $20 to $190.
Information about the proposed ownership structure was redacted, although it says the three national unions would all become shareholders of the team.
It is hoped such an arrangement would mean money goes back into the pocket of the unions, and ensures their players and staff are paid when on international duty.
Tongan players haven’t been paid for their efforts in the recent Pacific Nations Cup, while Samoa and Fiji have also struggled to pay their players at times over the past few years.
Rugby fans will get an idea of the Pacific Island support in the United States when San Francisco hosts the Rugby Sevens World Cup in July.
The United States leg of the World Series in Las Vegas gets large crowds, dominated by Fijian and Samoan supporters.