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The Pacific Islanders team that could dominate the World League
Ever since the controversial proposed plans for a World League tournament were leaked to the public earlier this week, the exclusions of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga have left players, fans, pundits and administrators puzzled and confused.
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As three of the biggest contributors to the game of rugby have been left in the cold by World Rugby executives in favour of the more financially prosperous nations of Japan and the USA, the chorus of disapproval for the World League grows louder.
Support for the Pacific nations have come from all corners of the globe in the wake of the revelations made by the New Zealand Herald, which reported that the three Pacific Island nations are set to be ignored from an annual 12-team international competition, with no chance of inclusion for the next 10 to 12 years.
Their exclusion doesn’t just mean that they will miss the opportunity to play regularly against tier one nations every season, but it also means these financially-embattled unions will be denied the NZ$10-14 million per year that the participating countries will be guaranteed, thanks to the support of an unknown broadcaster which has tabled an offer for the broadcasting rights.
The ensuing outrage has led to calls for Fiji, Samoa and Tonga to boycott this year’s World Cup in Japan, which has garnered serious consideration from leading Pasifika figures, including Pacific Rugby Players Welfare boss Daniel Leo.
While no official comment has yet been made from World Rugby explaining their decision to refrain from including three of the most exciting and naturally talented sides on the planet from their World League plans, their reasoning is obvious.
With a combined population of just 1.2 million between the three countries, the consumer market just isn’t there compared to the vast audience potential in Japan (population: 126.8 million) and the USA (325.7 million).
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A broader television audience and more potential to fill bigger stadiums equals larger revenue, and with that, the Pacific nations, who have provided us with a raft of international upsets and a multitude of legendary players, are out.
Fiji can feel especially hard done by.
While Samoa and Tonga have significantly contributed to the sport and proved their ability on the world stage – Samoa defeated Wales at the 1991 and 1999 World Cups, and Tonga followed by overcoming France in 2011 – both countries have struggled in recent seasons due to corruption allegations and severe financial insecurities within their national unions.
Fiji, however, have continued to go from strength-to-strength over the past few years under the guidance of head coach John McKee.
A gradual climb up the world rankings following a string of positive results against tier one sides – including a landmark 21-14 win over France in Paris last year – has seen them settle in ninth place, higher than that of Argentina (10th), Japan (11th), the USA (13th) and Italy (15th), all of whom are included in the World League plans.
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Despite this, they join Samoa and Tonga on the scrapheap with no prospect of gaining entry alongside rugby’s elite for at least the next decade.
The obvious alternative is to provide a promotion-relegation mechanism to allow these sides a chance to compete with the world’s best, but World Rugby’s plans leaked to the public shows no evidence of that being implemented.
If there is no chance of each individual nation winning a spot in the World League, whether it be as one of the 12 teams in a ring-fenced tournament or as one of the challengers in a promotion-relegation battle, then it begs the question if a combined bid to join the competition as a Pacific Islanders outfit could sway World Rugby’s stance on the matter.
It’s been 11 years since the Pacific Islanders last fielded a team, with Samoa withdrawing its allegiance with Tonga and Fiji after three tours in four years due to a lack of financial gain that the tours were intended for.
They only managed three wins from 11 outings (almost all were against full-strength tier one nations), but the Pacific Islanders fielded formidable sides that produced far more interest than the individual countries of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga were able to muster on their own.
Their inaugural tour of New Zealand and Australia in 2004 was particularly successful, pushing the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks to the limit in consecutive weeks, while successfully accounting for the Waratahs and a Queensland XV.
The competitiveness against three of the world’s best sides shown by the Pacific Islanders at the first time of asking illustrated their immense potential to wreak havoc globally if they had played on a regular basis.
That statement still holds true presently, as a modern day Pacific Islanders side could call upon some of the most exciting athletes the game has to offer.
Just picture a team that can combine the services of Fiji’s Leone Nakarawa, Semi Radradra and Josua Tuisova with Samoa’s Tim Nanai-Williams and Alapati Leiua, as well as Tonga’s Ben Tameifuna and Sonatane Takulua.
Their ability to compete would be just as good as any of the other 11 teams within the World League set-up, yet the passion and flair on offer in their gameplay would likely be unparalleled.
That aspect of entertainment while providing a stern test for the likes of New Zealand, England and Ireland would make the Pacific Islanders a side most rugby fans would pay to see, whether it be in the form of a match ticket or on subscription-based television.
An overwhelming demand from money-paying fans to watch such a promising, exciting outfit would make it difficult for any broadcaster to ignore.
The threat posed by the Pacific Islanders for top-tier international sides would only grow stronger with the financial benefits afforded to them upon their inclusion in the World League.
NZ$10-14 million shared between Fiji, Samoa and Tonga is exponentially more than what they currently yield, and for a trio of countries that have a tendency of upsetting teams like France, Scotland, Wales and Australia off a shadow of a shoestring budget, the potential that lies for a wealthy syndicate of Pacific nations is immeasurable.
There are obviously other pressing concerns at the forefront of this World League proposal that needs ironing out – most notably player welfare issues and the structure of the competition – but if this tournament is to get going in any way, shape or form, then the concept of reinstating the Pacific Islanders needs to be considered if the individual Pacific nations are going to be continually left out.
Potential Pacific Islanders World League team:
1. Campese Ma’afu (Fiji), 2. Motu Matu’u (Samoa), 3. Ben Tameifuna (Tonga), 4. Steve Mafi (Tonga), 5. Leone Nakarawa (Fiji), 6. Dominoko Waqaniburotu (Fiji), 7. Jack Lam (Samoa), 8. Viliame Mata (Fiji), 9. Sonatane Takulua (Tonga), 10. Tusi Pisi (Samoa), 11. Josua Tuisova (Fiji), 12. Siale Piutau (Tonga), 13. Semi Radradra (Fiji), 14. Alapati Leiua (Samoa), 15. Tim Nanai-Williams (Samoa)
Bench: 16. Manu Leiataua (Samoa), 17. Logovi’i Mulipola (Samoa), 18. Ma’afu Fia (Tonga), 19. Tevita Cabubati (Fiji), 20. TJ Ioane (Samoa), 21. Frank Lomani (Fiji), 22. Ben Volavola (Fiji), 23. Vereniki Goneva (Fiji)
Rugby World Cup Japan City Guides – Oita:
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments