A new start for Pacific Island Rugby

Australia and Japan have yet to confirm their places in the proposed Six Nations which is scheduled for the June/July 2006.

The Australia Rugby Union announced their plans for a domestic tournament starting September/October. Although it is understood that Japan may have decided to rethink their role in participating in this domestic series.

The ARU had initially proposed a Super Eight Series to involve their four Super 14 franchises, but this was turned down by the IRB opting for a six team format involving the Junior All Blacks, Australia A, Japan and the three Pacific unions possibly in a June/July after Super 12’s.

In reality, these proposed new competitions would keep Pacific rugby alive, as much as the IRB’s $3.3 million development grant for the region. Ask any of the Pacific Islander’s top rugby players and they will say the same thing – to play against the top players in the world is why they play the game. The guys at the club rugby level in the Pacific nations have been desperate for more exposure for their national teams for years so it’s not surprising they are eager to participate next year.

Pacific Rugby has been a threat to Home and Tri nations in the past – Stop there – “has been”. Fiji was recently slaughtered by New Zealand 91-0 and ditto for Samoa against Australia 74-7. Although some Australian and New Zealand clashes with the Pacific Island nations have been a lot closer 10 to 15 years ago.

In 1991 Samoa held Australia 9-3, in 1993 fought bravely against the All Blacks before going down 35-13, in 1994 they beat Wales 34-9, a 15-15 draw with Scotland in 1995, 1996 a surprise win against Ireland 40-25 and in the most recent Rugby World Cup they pushed the eventual Champions England before going down bravely 35-22.

Tonga’s only clash with England was a rout 110-10, they faired littler better against other home nations. Against Australia, Tonga have faired well, winning in 1973 16-11 but against New Zealand, Tonga have been on the wrong end of horrendous scores, the best being in 1999 with a bearable 45-9.

Fiji again have had a shocking run against the All Blacks, mildly better against Australia having draw 3-3 way back in 1961. As far as the home nations are concerned they too have the upper with the exception of a loan sizeable victory against Scotland in 1998 51-26.

It has been different for South Africa who has played Fiji and Tonga only once each, beating them convincingly, 43-18 and 74-10 respectively. South Africa has played Samoa 4 times and has been the victor on all occasion with 42-14 being smallest margin in 1995.

Professionalism for the Pacific Islanders has favoured them, with most of their quality players defecting to other nations or going over seas. Hope has come with former Wallaby coach Rod McQueen being appointed to manage PIRA. Since being appointed the organisation has submitted a business plan to the IRB last February.

Although it has to be asked, what has come from the Pacific Island Rugby Association series against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa last year? Tonga born Sione Lauaki and Fijian Born Sitivini Sivivatu have become All Black’s. These defections stand out more as they did represented the Pacific Island Rugby Association, despite their upbringing in New Zealand.

So when are these beating going to stop? When can Fiji, Tonga and Samoa compete at top level again? It is certain that they are presently unable to compete effectively, given recent results, but if their native born powerful players are diverted away or contractually stopped from playing (as was the case with Samoan Hooker Trevor Leota in the 2003 world cup), they will never be able to compete on an even playing field with the stronger tier one nations.

If the PI nations are unable to compete like they did in 70’s, 80’s and 90’s again, the IRB touted tournament must go ahead and perhaps the new Western Australian Franchise, which is trying to find it’s place in the rugby world, can seize the opportunity and hold regular tours to the Islands and host the three nations on a regular basis.

These nations would benefit immensely from playing against the Perth Premiership players, the Australian Rugby Shield champions the Perth Gold, the newly formed WA Rugby Academy and the Western Force. These teams would give those nations challenges at varying competitive levels. Vice versa a Western Force, WA Academies or Perth Gold tour of the Pacific Island region would be beneficial for all concerned.

This would allow a new start for the Pacific Island teams and a start for the newest Australian Rugby Franchise and effective future for the WA based players.

A suitable time period for these games would be August which would coincide with the end of the proposed IRB backed six team competition and before the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy and the Australian Provincial Championship.

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