Fiji Rugby Union interim CEO Koli Sewabu stated that the proposed R360 rugby competition is a threat to Fiji Rugby.
R360 is said to be backed by mega rich investors such as the Saudi Public Investment Fund and Oakvale Capital- it is set to attract some big names in rugby union and rugby league.
Major unions like Rugby Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France, and Italy have stated that all their players engaged in the R360 competition will be banned from international tests.
For Fiji Rugby, Sewabu said the competition can affect their recently attained tier one status.
“Other unions are already putting sanctions in place; we are looking at the competition window for that which falls around October and that’s a threat to Fiji Rugby,” he said.
Although no official contact has been made to the FRU by R360, the Fiji Rugby Board will be meeting next week to discuss this issue and its possible impacts.
Sewabu added that this may jeopardise Fiji’s tier one status.
“As we are entering tier one competition we need the availability of all our top players playing in Europe and if that competition is sanctioned and is given the green light, we will really have to think hard about involving our players, especially being a month away from us playing our November test window, which normally is against tier 1 teams in Europe” he said
There has been no official contact from R360 to the FRU, but the board will be meeting next week to discuss the matter.
Fiji rugby is also awaiting World Rugby decisions if they will sanction or not the proposed breakaway franchise, to finalise their stance regarding R360.
The league aims to feature franchise-based teams and hold tournaments in various cities around the world.
It is said to be backed by mega rich investors such as the Saudi Public Investment Fund and Oakvale Capital.
Media reports have stated that top players such as dual code internation Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, All Black Ardie Savea and many more have had some serious financial offers to join the league.
