A New Zealand political scientist is backing the call for Australia and New Zealand to make specific commitments to having a Pacific team enter the Super Rugby competition.
Speaking in the wake of the lacklustre Pacific performances at the World Cup, Fijian economist Wadan Narsey says if both countries committed a small part of their aid budgets to a Super Rugby team the reaction in the Pacific would be immense.
Dr Narsey says it would ensure Pacific commitment to Australia and New Zealand, rather than Beijing.
Don Wiseman asked the executive director of the Massey University Pasifika Centre, Malakai Koloamatangi, what he thought of the idea.
Massey University's Dr Malakai Koloamatangi Photo: Massey University
New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, or MFAT, says any such decision is not its responsibility but that of Pacific rugby nations and rugby's regional governing body, SANZAAR.
In a statement, it said it appreciates the economic, cultural and social potential of helping the Pacific Islands better tap into the global rugby economy, and that is why in early 2017 it commissioned an $NZ80,000 feasibility study into a Pacific Island Super Rugby franchise.
MFAT says it also helped Tonga refurbish its national stadium to tier one Test match standard, provided a programme designed to help Pacific players and their families access contract negotiations advice and financial literacy and investment training, and a sport-for-health programme in partnership with NZ Rugby in Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.
