The Fiji National Rugby League is calling for Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to help push the country’s bid for inclusion in the NRL.
Recent media reports out of Australia show that Papua New Guinea has reportedly won the bid to be the NRL’s 18th team. Media reports also show that the announcement is expected to be held in September during PNG’s 49th independence celebrations.
New FNRL deputy chairman Rajesh Singh said there was a possibility that the NRL would expand its competition to 20 teams, and they needed the Prime Minister’s assistance in pushing their bid further.
“They were talking about 18 but now there are talks about 20-team expansion. I like to say this very loud and clear the Honourable Prime Minister needs to step up his game for rugby league. If he can go down and get money for the Flying Fijians for the Rugby World Cup, I think as a former patron, president of the FNRL, and lifelong member, Mr Rabuka should start talking to the Australian government because there is $600m promised by the Australian government if PNG gets the bid,” Singh said.
Singh argued that the PNG prime minister led their negotiations and Rabuka needs to do the same. He underscored the major benefits Fiji will get from its inclusion into the NRL.
“The important thing is if we get this bid, we will get local players to play in it just like the Drua. We will have 21 home games if it’s a 20-team expansion and that will be a big boost for sports tourism in Fiji so, our PM needs to step up his game and fight for this.”
Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru told Times Sport that after expressing Fiji’s interest, no word has been received from the NRL.
