Pacific unions meet South Africans
Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:17
On Monday in Nadi, Fiji, representatives of the Fiji, Samoa and Tonga rugby unions met with representatives of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) as part of the preparation for the SANZAR meeting in Perth when the expansion of SANZAR's compositions (at present Tri-Nations and Super 14) after 2010 will be discussed.
Previously SARU had had similar discussions with Argentina.
The meeting in Nadi came about when SARU asked to meet the Fiji Rugby Union. Fiji in turn invited representatives from Samoa and Tonga. The meeting lasted for half a day and was more of an information gathering process for all parties to explore the best pathways to involve the Pacific Islanders in the revised SANZAR competitions.
Keni Dakuidreketi of the Fiji Rugby Union's board said afterwards: “The Fiji Rugby Union met today in Nadi with our counterparts from Samoa, Tonga and the South African Rugby. 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 Fiji Rugby Union was represented by Keni Dakuidreketi, CEO Timoci Tavanavanua and High Performance Unit manager Peter Murphy. The SARU officials present were the CEO Jonathan Stones and Mpumelelo Tshume.
