IRB fancies Pacific Island for 2011
Thu, 29 May 2008 11:07
The International Rugby Board (IRB) believes a Pacific Islands team could reach the semifinals of the World Cup in 2011, according to its general manager for the region, William Glenwright.
"It is certainly within our plans and aspirations to have at least one Pacific Island team in the semifinals," Glenwright told the Fiji Times.
"I think that's achievable if we can continue the rate of improvement that we have seen over the past two years."
Glenwright said the Pacific Nations Cup, which begins on June 7 and involves Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Japan, Australia A and the New Zealand Maori, was aimed at preparing Pacific teams for the 2011 World Cup.
"We are delighted that in the lead-up to the next RWC, the Pacific Islands, Japan, the New Zealand Maori and Australia A will have an opportunity to play in regular high-level competition," he said.
"For us it's the region's biggest annual sporting event."
