On this clip - looks like a crowd of about 10k for a game without a single NRL or ESL player (Fiji residents v Fiji Overseas) www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMi5hc0x2mg

On this clip - looks like a crowd of about 10k for a game without a single NRL or ESL player (Fiji residents v Fiji Overseas) www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMi5hc0x2mg

It would be interesting to see what side Fiji would come up with next year.
Obviously Civo would be a huge loss, but Korbin Sims will probably be a prop next year, and maybe he could fill the big boots of Civo.
Some of the aging backs like Wes Naiqama, Millard and Waqa could make way for Nabouli from Penrith and maybe the third Tani brother from Fiji, who is supposed to be better than the other two, and is being described in Fiji as as good as his uncle (Noa Nandruku).
The big area they could improve is if Sutton is fit and could be their main playmaker, and maybe Groome could move to hooker, where he usually plays, and where Fiji seem a bit lacking.
They probably also need to find 3 or 4 quality forwards to compete with the big 3 nations. Their backs are good enough, with Sutton their halves would be good enough, but once you take out Civo they are looking very short in the forwards.

Fiji is probably well worth devoting time and money as the source of players is large and its underserviced by RU as Fiji isn't treated as a major international team. So long as we don't see endless Uate clones playing Origin rather than for Fiji, there are also benefits for NRL clubs in terms of talent as well.

They would have had to move to Australia before the age of 12 to qualify for SOO
That would make them Australians via emigration.

I seem to remember reading last year that Mcnamara tried to organise something along those lines last year, but it was't to be. I just hope the NRL bosses will ignore idiots like Rothfield and now finally recognise the importance of international RL.

Most tours need to make money or at least break even.
A tour to the Pacific Islands would make a significant loss.

I hope that this year's Tonga v Samoa test held in Penrith becomes a regular thing to keep the interest levels up.

Well, they got over 10k to Penrith, that was not bad, could have been better though, half of Sydney's Western Suburbs are made up of Islanders or Arabs.

Surely if the quoted £5M made from the WC's is for international development, underwriting tours like this is as good a development tool as there is.

would it?

I dont necessarily think so, expecially for somewhere like Fiji where tourism is a such a large part of the economy. Im sure the Fijian tourist board would be more massively supportive of England touring their nation and showing off the country, get a couple of sponsors like BA and Hilton, even if they only pay in kind the main costs are pretty much covered already. Then you can sell the TV rights for probably the biggest sporting event in Fiji for a long time, aswell as the UK rights,

This article says 5 non NRL Fijian players have had interest from ESL clubs. www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=252681 Only one I'd be interested in is Groom. He really stepped up and looks like he could play at ESL standard as a playmaker - at least a second string one.

This article says 5 non NRL Fijian players have had interest from ESL clubs. www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=252681 Only one I'd be interested in is Groom. He really stepped up and looks like he could play at ESL standard as a playmaker - at least a second string one.

But they will.Goes without saying. And I don't mean that to sound negative. Culturally the Fijian player would then help his community by donating monies back home. So they'll take the money on offer. Especially if they played Origin for match payments rather than national identity or pride.




Great to hear your Knights put a lot of effort into Fiji mate. www.newcastleknights.com.au/news ... -Men/88123

Rick Stone talks about the World Cup experience.
I didn't know they included a 19 year old local in the squad. I hope Rick has recruited him for the Knights under 20s.