NZRU pays out $300,000 to Pacific Islands

1.00pm

Pacific Island rugby has received $330,000 from the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) after the test against the All Blacks in July this year.

NZRU chief executive Chris Moller said the union had agreed to pay all net proceeds from the match, won 41-26 by the All Blacks over a combined Fijian, Tongan and Samoan team at North Harbour Stadium.

Moller today said in a statement that the payment would help fund the development of rugby in the Pacific Islands.

"I am pleased to announce that we have now made a final payment from the match to the three Pacific Island unions which brings the total raised to $330,000.

"It was a tremendous game of rugby and an equally significant financial boost for Pacific Island rugby," Moller said.

The $330,000 raised included an earlier advance of $95,000 to the Pacific Island Rugby Alliance (PIRA) to help with set-up costs for the team.

Moller said the successful outcome from the Pacific Islanders match was one of a number of initiatives that the NZRU had led in support of Pacific Islands rugby.

"In addition to championing the Pacific Islanders concept at Sanzar and IRB level, we have been active in promoting other issues, such as the eligibility proposals currently before the IRB, to help Pacific Islands rugby move forward.

Moller said the NZRU was committed to helping the Pacific Island nations develop rugby locally and globally, and would continue to work with them to help achieve their aims.

- NZPA