The bid for Fiji’s rugby league participation at the 2017 New South Wales (NSW) Cup is now going through the final process.

This was confirmed to SUNsports by Fijian bid team co-ordinator Petero Civoniceva’s partner and businessman Greg Brown.

According to Australian media reports, high-ranking NSWRL officials David Trodden, Barrie-Jon Mather and Bob Millward were in the country inspecting the infrastructure to determine if it is up to the standard required to host a competition that is the chief pathway to the NRL. They also had a series of meetings with the bid team, the consortium backing them and key government officials as the parties near an agreement.

“We’ve worked through a lot of the detail with them and we’re now in a position where the next step in the process is to inspect all of their facilities, hosting arrangements and travel accommodation to ensure they are up to standard,” NSWRL chief executive Trodden said.

Civoniceva, one of the greatest league players, has been a driving force in negotiations. The legendary prop believes the game will flourish in Fiji if the proposal is approved.

“The growth of rugby league will explode,” he said.

“It’s just going through the roof in terms of the numbers of players registering at schools to play. If we have a team of local players, playing against Intrust Super Cup players week in and week out, the growth of rugby league will go through the roof. When we’re talking about the game internationally, it will be an amazing step forward for Fiji.”

In a presentation to the Fiji National Rugby League board directors, last year they outlined the benefits it would have on the sport locally and to the nation’s economy as well.

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