3 Island Unions meet to head towards SANZAR

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) met Monday with representatives from South African Rugby, the Pacific Rugby Limited and reps from the Samoa and Tonga Rugby Unions in Nadi.
 
This was held at the request of the South African Rugby Union to the FRU who in turn invited Tonga and Samoa to attend. The meeting which went on for half a day, was more of an information gathering process for all parties to explore the best pathways to involve the Pacific Islanders in the revised SANZAR competition format come 2010.
 
“The Fiji Rugby Union met today in Nadi with our counterparts from Samoa, Tonga and the South African Rugby.” said FRU board chairman Keni Dakuidreketi. “It proved to be very encouraging for all parties concerned especially for the Pacific Islands Rugby. We are thankful to the South African Rugby Union, which also happens to be the Secretariat to SANZAR for taking the initiative to at least begin meaningful discussions regarding a way forward for us in a professional competition.”
 
“The discussion was to explore possible ways to be included in the revised competition in 2010. We’ve presented our case to them, let them know of the problems and issues we (Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga) all face, and now SANZAR have to discuss it with their partners and come back to us with a decision.”
 
SANZAR is due to hold a workshop in Perth, Australia this Thursday for their members followed by a formal meeting on Friday to discuss operational and regulatory matters. It’s understood one of the issues discussed will be the Pacific Islanders.
 
The Samoa Rugby Union was represented and led by their Chairman and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, CEO Peter Schuster and Harry Schuster whilst Tonga Rugby Union was represented by their CEO Siosaia Fonua. The FRU was represented by Keni Dakuidreketi, CEO Timoci Tavanavanua and High Performance Unit manager Peter Murphy.