World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper says the Pacific Islands' teams will not be "closed out" of World Rugby's proposed controversial 'Nations League' as some have suggested.
Gosper says their inclusion in the top division of the two tier competition ‑ along the lines of football's UEFA Nations League ‑ would be decided on rankings based on merit alone.
There has been a furious reaction to the report in the New Zealand Herald on Thursday that the Pacific Islands would have no representatives among the 12 teams in the top tier with Fiji having been replaced by the United States and that there would be no promotion or relegation for 10 seasons.
Brett Gosper says Fiji won't be locked out of a proposed World League.
A boycott of the World Cup was mooted by the London‑based Pacific Rugby Players Welfare on Friday to include even those of Pacific Island origin playing in other teams.
However, Gosper was adamant those fears about being excluded were groundless.
Gosper says the two‑division competition would provide more player opportunities and ensure financial stability for unions.
[Source: AFP]
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