THE wheels continue to move in motion behind the scenes at Rugby House as the pieces are now in place following the announcement of Fiji’s inclusion into the Nations Championship next year.
These were the sentiments of Fiji Rugby Union board member Lailanie Burns in an interview with TimesSport recently.
“We are working very tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure that we make the best possible decision, both for our players as well as the commercial landscape in the Fiji Rugby Union,” Burns mentioned.
Burns shared the union was working closely with CAA Portas, a global management consultancy firm, to make the best possible decision of hosting matches on neutral grounds using scientific data.
As exciting as the venture will be for Fiji, it also means all home matches will be hosted in Europe.
These matches will fall in the first round of competition next July, where Wales, Scotland and England will face the FIJI Water Flying Fijians.
Meanwhile, FRU acting chief executive Koli Sewabu remarked the inclusion marked a transformative period in Fiji’s development as a Tier one nation in the world of rugby.
“We’re very excited, it’s a revolutionary time for Fiji Rugby. Here we are, as a tier one nation, we are against other tier one nations in a formatted competition, which is the first time that’s ever happened in history,” Burns explained.
“So, it’s exciting times ahead and the repercussions from these championships will then trickle down to benefit the entire rugby landscape in Fiji.”
Meanwhile, Sewabu said the union was working behind the scenes to identify venues to host matches in the northern hemisphere prior to the official announcement of Fiji’s inclusion.
Burns and Sewabu shared their sentiments on the matter following the screening of the sports documentary “Breaking Ground”, a film on the rise of women’s rugby in Fiji, at the Damodar City Cinemas in Suva last Tuesday.
