Fiji Rugby CEO, John O’Connor has welcomed New Zealand Rugby’s announcement that Fiji has been acknowledged as a preferred partner in future professional rugby competitions for the 2022 season and beyond.
O’Connor says this is a momentous day for Fiji Rugby with their dream of the Fijian Drua participating at a Super Rugby level on the verge of becoming a reality.
He says they submitted a comprehensive and compelling proposal to NZ Rugby in August this year, and their continued discussions and negotiations have now borne fruit.
O’Connor says they have a lot of work to do with NZ Rugby and other national unions, but the potential entry is really exciting.
He adds although the FRU still needs to satisfy some core entry criteria, notably minimum capital requirements and the announcement means that the FRU planning can progress in the knowledge that Fiji team’s entry is virtually assured once those capital requirements are met.
O’Connor says they have been talking to private investors for some time, and are confident that with private equity and the support of World Rugby and government, they can secure the necessary funding that will satisfy the requirements and ensure that the Drua can kick off in 2022.
He says their goal is to win the competition within five years, and this now gives them the chance to not only attract many of their best players back from Europe to play at home, but also to keep their emerging talent at home on playing contracts that are fair and attractive.
He says the exact team makeup of the competition is still to be confirmed as it is expected that Fiji will host at least five home games during the season against the likes of the Blues, Crusaders and the Hurricanes.
O’Connor says the Drua’s success in the Australian Rugby Championship demonstrated their capacity to compete at a higher level, and they look forward to taking the field in early 2022.
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