RUGBY league greats Mal Meninga and Vula Dakuitoga have rallied behind the International Rugby League Federation’s World Cup 9s which is underway in Sydney, Australia.
The pair said the event would propel the sport against its oppositions.
“I am hoping that it is the start of something great in our game,” said Australia rugby league coach, former Australia and Canberra Raiders Mal Meninga.
“It will be a pioneer tournament for Rugby League World Cup and World Cup 9s,” Meninga, who was in Fiji last week, said.
“I see value in the World Cup 9s being a really good showcase opportunity for our game around the world, similar to rugby sevens.”
Meninga believes the platform would allow for great running rugby to be showcased especially with the Pacific teams in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga.
“It’s a great equaliser. You see the Pacific Islands, they will have a tremendous tournament with their speed and their ability to excite people.”
Former Fiji Bati and national coach Vulaono Dakuitoga said the abbreviated code was better suited for Fijians.
“In the short form, Fijians will always love to play in the nines,” Dakuitoga said.
“Fijians have always adapted well to playing in small numbers.
“You come to every ground across Fiji and they are playing in twos and threes. You look no further than the rugby union code of sevens rugby to see the potential Fijians have with the results they have produced.
