The Australian Government’s support for rugby league growth in the Pacific should be seen as a long-overdue investment in regional development, not a threat to rugby union.
This has been highlighted by Fiji National Rugby League Executive Chairman Akuila Masi following concerns raised by some Pacific rugby union leaders about initiatives such as the proposed PNG NRL team and the broader $600 million Pacific Rugby League Strategy.
Masi says the investment recognises the significant role rugby league plays in Pacific communities, especially in creating pathways for youth who now represent their families and nations internationally.
He says Fiji’s rugby league success, marked by World Cup semi final appearances and growing local and overseas talent, has come a long way despite limited infrastructure and inconsistent international support.
Masi describes the current funding from DFAT and the NRL as a strategic investment in an inclusive sporting future, not a handout, and rejects the idea that this support signals a decline for rugby union in the region.
He says we should see this as a wake-up call to move beyond siloed thinking, as both codes can and must thrive side-by-side.
Masi is calling on regional sporting bodies and governments to embrace sports pluralism, saying the Pacific is big enough for both codes and players should have the freedom to pursue the sport that best suits their aspirations.
He has also reaffirmed FNRL’s commitment to strengthening governance, expanding pathways, and aligning with national development through sport.
He says the DFAT-backed investments are not just about the game, they are about health, youth development, peacebuilding, and regional resilience.
