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Awesome news
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
That's fantastic news about them joining the NRC - the Super Rugby part of the headline is just clickbait.
Fantastic news, they deserve to get into a fully fledged competition.
Let's hope it showcases their rugby & not just their players for poachers ... a NRC Fiji cap should rule them as unapproachable to other "agents"
Helps build credibility for the competition too.
I wonder if anyone's working along similar lines for Samoa and Tonga.
I think the Auckland Blues and Waikato Chiefs have them covered
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Fiji will field a team in the 2017 Buildcorp NRC, with the competition set to return to nine.
The first overseas-based NRC team has been granted entry for the next four years and comprise of players from Fiji’s second national XV, the Fiji Warriors.
Fiji’s roster will include 30 locally-based players and the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) has begun to look for a permanent home base for the side, which will play all of its home games in Fiji.
The expansion will mean that each NRC side will return to the eight-week format of the first two iterations, with each team having a bye.
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2016/10.../fiji-nrc-team
This is a good move to counter the establisment of the Fiji team in the NSWRL state cup next year. It is f@cking amazing to realise that, despite the staggering numbers of Fijians playing Rugby in Europe and Australasia, some stay under the radar. NRL scouts have still managed to suss out players like Radrada, Koiribete, Vunavalu, plus 2 Naquamas and Aquila Uarte. (To name a few )
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
If that's a national 2nd XV, I wonder if that means the players will get a cap and confirm Fijian eligibility?
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
I like it. Its a good starting point in the expansion of the NRC with the costs being underwritten by World Rugby. It could lead to more funding from World Rugby and tv rights. Now we just need a tenth team and an expansion of the Super U/20s to an NRC U/20s competition and our pathways look very strong.
There is still a lot of antagonism towards the NRC in Sydney Clubland. Dunno about Qld. Perhaps this (and maybe Samoa/Tonga next) is just what is needed to give the thing a kick along in those areas.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Without really knowing the lay of the (rugby) land, you might be right. but maybe not to the same degree down in sydney.
they hate the fact the Shute Shield isn't seen as the major wallaby pathway anymore.
(personally i think it's great, anything that knocks anyone in NSW off their high horse is fine by me)