FUND TALKS START

The Fiji Rugby Union is on the right track in securing funds to elevate the sport. Not only that but to also materialise our dream of hosting a World Rugby sanctioned events like the HSBC SVNS Series or a Rugby World Cup match.

This was the gist of FRU director Rugby Koli Sewabu’s message during the Leaders Lead Symposium at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Denarau yesterday.

“My current position has given me the responsibility to sit at the negotiation table with World Rugby and the Australian government through DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) over the last two weeks,” the former Flying Fijians No.8 said.

“That is to negotiate on legacy funds for the Pacific and potential funds to grow Fiji Rugby to a position we’ve never been in for more than a hundred years.”

Sewabu said he could not reveal the dollar value because it is still in its early stages.

“I can’t disclose the amount for now, but there are common negotiations for any rugby nation to host a Rugby World Cup. For instance, Australia is the next one (in 2027). There’s also a legacy fund that is set-up as part of those negotiations.

“Now it’s working with Rugby Australia on how we can capitalise on some of those funds to help improve our rugby systems, our infrastructures and our development programmes.”

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua flanker Motikiai Murray fends off Chiefs lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi during their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash at Lautoka’s Churchill Park on March 8, 2025. Talks for funding spearheaded by director rugby Koli Sewabu are now underway and if successful could see Fiji Rugby has its own stadium. Photo: Leon Lord

Sewabu reiterated that it’s still the early stages of negotiations but over time when the time is right and then when the two countries agree there would be more information around what that fund looks like.

“The negotiations have already taken place.

“We don’t have a stadium for us to host a game in Fiji, an international game under World Cup standards,” he said.

“We have to have a stadium that can seat a minimum of 25,000 people, 10,000 has to be covered and we’ve got so many other mechanics around it but that’s the intention for us is to build towards that.

“Hopefully, once we have that in place then we’re able to host more international games.

“We’re able to bid for the sevens series and so forth but we need to have the proper infrastructure in place,” Sewabu added.

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