ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021

New chapter for Pacific Island rugby with announcement of teams joining Super Rugby

Super Rugby is set to be expanded in 2022 with the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika granted conditional licences, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced on Wednesday.

ADVERTISEMENT

In a significant step for Pacific Island rugby, the teams will join five Australian outfits and New Zealand’s five sides for the re-jigged competition.

While World Rugby last month pledged a $2.16 million annual package to offset costs, NZR said entry next year was still conditional on their final business plans and Rugby Australia’s (RA) support.

RA said on Wednesday it was “encouraged by the announcement” and looked forward to formalising the 2022 competition once the licences had final approval.

This year the two countries are holding domestic Super Rugby competitions, with a five-week Trans-Tasman crossover competition kicking off on May 14.

“We look forward to continuing our engagement with NZR on this process as we plan towards 2022,” said RA boss Andy Marinos.

“Once further conditions around the licences have been met, we look forward to formalising the composition of the teams in what will hopefully prove a new dawn for rugby in the region.”

WATCH: Incredible pre-match scenes as historic match takes place in Hamilton

NZR board member and former Manu Samoa and All Blacks legend Sir Michael Jones said the announcement was a significant milestone.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We are now on the cusp of realising a long-held desire to include Pasifika in our professional game and the opportunity to embrace all that comes with that,” Jones said in a statement.

“With the approval of licences, Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua can now forge ahead with the final stages of their business plans and crucially start to lock in their playing and coaching rosters for next season.”

WATCH: Fijian Drua score typically Fijian tries on way to NRC Grand Final

NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said they had confidence that Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua would be able to meet the conditions of the licence, which includes final sign-off on a sustainable business plan by 30 June.

Moana Pasifika played for the first time last December, against the Maori All Blacks in Hamilton.

Established in 2017, the Fijian Drua won Australia’s National Rugby Championship in 2018, in only their second year in the competition.

ADVERTISEMENT
Video Spacer

Related Articles

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    RFU make decision on transgender players...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Springbok fans given a scare as Kolbe takes back-breaking hit

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

View All

Funnies

  • 15 HOURS AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

View All

Amateur

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 15 HOURS AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 15 HOURS AGO

    Watch Namibian wingers display incredible speed against Uruguay

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Vakatawa signs for English Premiership side in sensational return to rugby

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Exclusive: 'The Aussie DNA is missing' - David Campese reflects on Wallaby exit and ponders the future of Aussie rugby

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    France give confirmation of Dupont return thanks to superhuman recovery

View All