Pacific Super Rugby presence looms larger
Plans for a Pacific Islands side to join Super Rugby are pushing ahead, with political desire across the Pacific to make it happen even in the face of difficulty.
The New Zealand Government funded an $80,000 feasibility study to look at a team of players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga to play in the Super Rugby competition.
When that study was presented several months ago, it was apparent plenty of work remained, a source told Stuff.
One tripping point was whether South African teams would be willing to play in Suva, when they already found travelling to Australia and New Zealand onerous.
Japan and Argentina also have Super Rugby sides.
Both New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the Government have worked on the proposal, with the feasibility study done by Jeremy Curragh, at a cost to the taxpayer of $80,000.
Under the plan, the team would be based in Suva, in Fiji. It would also play some ‘home’ games in Samoa, Tonga, Auckland and Sydney.
Suva is some distance from Nadi, adding further to travel costs. It was possible a new stadium near the airport would help.
While Newshub reported the team would be set up as an independent franchise and enter the competition in 2021 – in two seasons’ time – that was not a given.
Super Rugby has just culled two South African sides and one Australian club from the tournament, so adding a new side flew in the face of those actions.
The Cheetahs and the Kings of South Africa are playing in the Europe PRO14, with talk the Sharks, Stormers and Lions might follow them.
The feasibility study was an attempt to see what hurdles lay in the way of a Pacific franchise, and if they were insurmountable.
In the sports sense it was seen as an opportunity to develop pathways for Pacific players; politically it would allow New Zealand to use rugby to reduce the influence of China in the islands.
Tevita Hale Nai Tu’uhoko, chairman of players’ union the Pacific Players Association, told Newshub he was briefed last week.
‘‘For so long now that we’ve been in the back seat with Super Rugby, and now it’s about time that we were in charge,’’ he says.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade statement said: ‘‘Sport is an integral part of the cultures of many Pacific Islands countries, and the New Zealand aid programme, administered by MFAT, recognises it can be an effective vehicle for development in the region.’’
New Zealand directs about 60 per cent of its development spending to the Pacific (about $400 million for the 2017-18 year).
The aim is to help the island nations attain greater autonomy ‘‘through improved economic and social achievements’’.
It was against that background, MFAT commissioned the $80,000 study into the feasibility of a Pacific Island Super Rugby franchise, in response to interest from the Pacific in competing.
‘‘There is presently no professional rugby pathway in the Pacific Islands. MFAT funded the study to support to the cause of the Pacific Island countries, and with a view to eventually encourage the investment likely to be necessary to fund a commercially viable professional rugby team,’’ the statement said.