Pacific Island plan wins kudos

Pacific Island nations yesterday welcomed the proposed second-tier international programme and funding approved by the International Rugby Board.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Chris Moller, who is in Cape Town for the IRB meeting, commended the board for the initiative it has taken to develop the game in the region.

The IRB proposes to start a six-team competition for the Junior All Blacks, Australia A, Japan, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji in June-July next year as part of its multimillion dollar project.

It aims to increase depth and competitiveness at tier one, where Argentina, Australia, England, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales compete.

Half of the 30 million ($78 million) injection the IRB approved is to go to tier-two nations - Canada, Fiji, Japan, Romania, Samoa, Tonga and the US - to help them compete effectively with the top nations.

Samoa, Romania, Canada and the US will each receive US$2.7 million ($3.9 million) over three years, Tonga will receive US$1.48 million, Fiji US$1.4 million and Japan US$930,000.

Moller said the NZRFU was committed to the Junior All Blacks' programme as part of its high-performance plan.

His union also supported the IRB's approach to the development of tier-two nations, but understood details of the competition were still to be worked through.

Australia had previously pushed for Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Japan to compete against its Super 14 franchises, but the NZRFU opposed the proposal, saying it would be unfair for Australia to receive extra funding for the competition.

The NZRFU managed to influence the IRB to include the Junior All Blacks as well in the set-up, while Australia changed its stance to include Australia A instead of their state teams, although Australia is now expressing some doubts about the side competing.

Most of the IRB's investment will be spent on the appointment of coaches and high-performance managers to establish infrastructure in the targeted regions.

Fiji Rugby Union spokesman Vilikesa Rinavuaka said his union was delighted with the IRB move. "We've been crying out for this for so long, it's great news," he said.

"We've heard the plans but we still have to see the details and how it's going to be worked through, but we're delighted with IRB's effort."

The funding will be particularly welcomed by the cash-strapped Fiji Rugby Union, who recently required a $2 million grant from the Fijian Government to keep it afloat.

Samoa assistant coach Peter Fatialofa said the IRB decision would see island nations come back to compete with top-tier test sides.

"We can become a power again. It will help us with the programme we've already got going in places like Auckland, Wellington, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Apia.

"Once we can do what we want in developing players it will take about two-three years for us to be able to compete with the top countries. We already have the talent."

IRB chairman Syd Millar said the intention was for more teams to be contenders for the World Cup.

Millar believed the increased funding, infrastructure and competitions would make a "real difference" for second-tier nations.

"This is an historic day for rugby as it represents an unprecedented level of investment in rugby worldwide."

- NZPA