15 Jun 2005

Samoa rugby union welcomes proposal to create new competition

6:40 pm on 15 June 2005

The Samoa rugby union has welcomed an Australian proposal to create a new rugby union competition that will field teams from Samoa, Fiji and Tonga.

The proposal is for a Super Eight competition that would include four Australian teams and one from Japan and get underway next year.

The president of the Samoa rugby union, Tuilaepa Sailele, says Pacific sides need international exposure.

"It's a big problem. It effected our preparations leading up to the last World Cup and this is certianly a big issue for us to have a competition that will regularly expose our Fijian, Tongan and Samoan players to international competition. I think that will go a long way towards improving the competitiveness of their play."

Tuilaepa Sailele the president of the Samoa Rugby Union and prime minister of Samoa