FRU positive about proposed World Rugby Nations Championship format

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Fiji Rugby Union CEO John O’Connor (left) and chairman Francis Kean. Picture: FT FILE

THE Fiji Rugby Union is very positive and is excited with the proposed format of the World Rugby Nations Championship that will not only include the Flying Fijians but also provide competitions for Tonga and Samoa with meaningful opportunities for promotion and relegation between the proposed three Tiers of the competition.

FRU chairman Commander Francis Kean and FRU chief executive John O’Connor recently returned from the World Rugby high-level meeting of Tier 1 Unions, including Japan, Fiji and the international player representatives in Dublin last week.

This was where World Rugby outlined the details of a game-changing competition model that delivers a true pathway for all unions through a three-tiered format, including a promotion and relegation system.

The World Rugby Nations Championship earmarked to commence in 2022, will see Fiji in the Southern Hemisphere grouping of the 12 team Tier 1 conference.

This is based on Fiji’s current world ranking.

Kean thanked the chairman of NZ Rugby and SANZAAR Brent Impey and the SANZAAR Unions for their strong backing for Fiji’s inclusion in the championship.

“We are very thankful for the strong support from the SANZAAR Unions,” he said.

Kean also acknowledged Word Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont and his team for introducing this new product and opening up pathways for emerging nations to be based on merit.

The last rugby product introduced by World Rugby was the Rugby World Cup, which was staged in 1987 in New Zealand.

Kean said this new competition was a breath of fresh air to opening up the sport and its earnest drive for rugby to become a truly global sport.

“The pathways offered to rugby playing nations is highly commendable and I salute Sir Bill and his team at World Rugby for introducing this long overdue product.”

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