'We would love it': Wallabies duo eager for Pacific Island Super Rugby team following reports of Australian move
As the remodelling of Super Rugby continues in New Zealand and Australia, the prospect of a Pasifika franchise entering the fray has become a hot topic, both within the media and among players.
Just what Super Rugby will look like in the post-COVID world remains to be seen, but the push for the involvement of a team from the Pacific Islands is growing stronger.
The chances of a team representing Fiji, Samoa and Tonga in Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021 took a hit last week, though, when New Zealand Rugby chairman Brent Impey confirmed the Kiwi competition will stay at five teams next year.
His announcement came after NZR sought “expressions of interest” from clubs to join an enlarged Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, with two bids believed to have come from Moana Pasifika and Kanaloa Hawaii.
“There has been a lot of speculation around our keenness to include a Pasifika team in Super Rugby, and we’re still committed to getting that across the line at some point. But the board believes we must get this right,” he told reporters last week.
However, the decision to block a Pasifika presence in Super Rugby Aotearoa led Pacific Rugby Players chief executive Aayden Clarke to describe NZR as “arrogant” and suggested a potential move to Super Rugby AU may be a better option instead.
“I do actually think there is merit in it being based out of Australia, rather than New Zealand,” Clarke told Stuff on Monday.
“Australia have had a far more open-door policy, and a willingness with Pacific Island teams over the past few years compared to NZ Rugby.
“We’ve had the Fijian Drua play in the NRC [National Rugby Championship], we’ve had various options where Australia have been a little bit more kind, and without wanting to say it, a little bit less arrogant about it.
“It’s a genuine option.”
Clarke’s sentiments were echoed by former All Blacks great Sir Bryan Williams, who told the New Zealand Herald that NZR’s decision to deny a Pasifika presence in Super Rugby Aotearoa next year as “cruel”.
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“It’s something that our particular group hasn’t considered but, by the same token, if it came to that, quite frankly, I would do anything to get this across the line,” Williams, who is tied to the Moana Pasifika bid, said of possibly joining Super Rugby AU.
“If that is what it takes … I am 70 years old today and I want to see it in my lifetime because I have been really disappointed in the last few days and I hope things get better.”
Speaking to media on Tuesday, Wallabies pair Matt Toomua and Taniela Tupou, both of whom have Pasifika heritage, embraced the prospect of a Pacific Island franchise joining Super Rugby.
Tupou said he would like to see a franchise established in the region to give youngster across the Pacific a pathway into professional rugby, but was sceptical about the financial aspect of such a venture.
“Giving an opportunity for boys from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji that don’t have the opportunity to play at a professional level, but I just don’t know how it’s going to work, where it’s going to be based,” the Tongan-born prop said.
Toomua, the son of a Samoan father, expanded on Tupou’s comments, highlighting the eagerness among players to implement a Pasifika franchise, but conceded there are logistical issues that would need to be worked through.
“I think the desire from players to have a Pacific Island team is huge. We have such a large showing of Pacific Island players,” the 52-test playmaker said.
“The logistics around it is quite tough because we like to say Pacific Islands as if it’s a state or something, but there’s a border that separates a lot of the islands in itself, so getting them in a centralised location is quite tough.
“There’s been some talk of it being offshore in Australia or New Zealand. There’s many reasons why it hasn’t happened, but in terms of pure desire and wanting to have it from a players’ point of view, we would absolutely love it.”
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Toomua pointed to the addition of the Fijian-based Drua in Australia’s domestic NRC competition, of which they won in their second season of existence in 2018, as an example of success that can come with including a Pacific Island team in Super Rugby AU.
“I think it would bring a new flavour to the game. I think you’ve seen the success of the Drua in the NRC. You’re just seeing more and more Fijian guys, in particular, in the NRL, so I think it would be smart strategically to get some of those guys playing in our competition because we could probably poach a few as well,” he said.
“[It would] almost just [be] doing the right things by the islands in terms of the contributions that they’ve made to our game, it would be amazing if we could do that, bearing in mind there are complexities involved.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
4 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
4 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
4 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
4 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
12 Go to comments