Editorial: A lot at Stake If we Don't do Enough for Our NRL Bid

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has made his reasons known for why he does not want to be part of the negotiations of Fiji's bid to be the 18th team in the Australia's NRL (National Rugby League) competition by 2025.

Mr Rabuka stated he does not want any political influence in the negotiations and it's best to leave it to the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) and those involved in the bid to be part of the process.

Also, the PM has clarified that for him to become patron of Fiji's NRL bid, his appointment must be of his position as the former FNRL president and Life Member.

He does not want his appointment based on the fact that he is the country's PM.

The approach taken by Mr Rabuka is different from his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape who, in fact, has led the charge for PNG's NRL bid.

In February, Mr Marape addressed the Australian parliament in Canberra, during his official visit, in his mission to progress negotiations on PNG's application

to become the 18th NRL franchise.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the bid for PNG teams in both the NRL and NRLW competitions has the potential to have broad

and long-lasting impacts on the country.

Mr Marape sees rugby league as part of a broader national unification policy, with the sport being used to promote peace and ethics in a country racked with

tribal fighting and high crime rates.

His backing is reminiscent of Nelson Mandela's support for rugby union, which helped unite South Africa as it emerged from the apartheid era.

Now, negotiations are ongoing between the Australian government, NRL and PNG that could see a new NRL side based in PNG. The deal could be worth up to

AU$600 million (FJ$901m) in Australian government's funding for over 10 years.

Already, AU$5.5m (F J$8.3m) is given as a junior pathways investment by the Australian government as to support PNG rugby league through its PacificAus programme.

The money supports men's and women's international rugby league fixtures involving PNG, and the inclusion of the PNG Hunters in the Queensland

Rugby League.

Although, we appreciate the fact that our Government has endorsed Fiji's NRL bid, what is needed here is for our leaders to stand-up and take the bull by its horn.

We've got to show our commitment as a nation to the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) that we really want to be that 18th NRL franchise club. This is an opportunity that we can't let go. Rugby League is a career pathway for many of young people of today.

The sport is community based, reaching out to the grass roots level and always champions healthy living.

This could lead to development of our sporting infrastructures as we're going to host 17 NRL matches and a boost to our country's economy through sports tourism.

Yes, Rugby League maybe PNG's national sport but our Fiji Bati (national team) has set been a trend setter for the Pacific teams on the world stage.

We've had success stories of our Bati reaching the World Cup semifinals in 2008, 2013 and 2018.

This was later followed by Tonga and Samoa.

Not only that, our local-based players like Noa Nadruku, Sisa Waqa, Viliame Kikau, Tui Kamikamica, Semi Radradra, Marika Koroibete, Suliasi Vunivalu,

Mikaele Ravalawa, Maika Siva, Semi Valemei, etc became household names in Australia. Kikau is among the highest paid forward in the NRL.

Fiji is the only Pacific nation that has proved it can match-up to Australia and New Zealand by having our own Super Rugby franchise club - Fijian Drua - based here with its state-of the-art training facilities in Legalega, Nadi.

If we can do it with rugby union then why not Rugby League.

Let's hope the stand taken by Mr Rabuka would work in our favour.

If not, then our Government should change its stance altogether and become more aggressive in their approach to make it happen.

A lot is at stake especially during this hard economic times as many of our young people see Rugby League as a hope of securing their future and providng a better life for their families.

It's better to act now rather than regret it later.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj