NRL Bid Talks

Discussions by relevant authorities to put together Fiji's bid to be considered the 18th team in the Australia's NRL (National Rugby League) competition in 2025 continued in Suva yesterday.

This was confirmed to SUNsports by the Minister for Youth and Sports, Jese Saukuru.

He said they had discussions with the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) board of directors, led by chairman Aporosa Lutunauga and acting chief executive officer, Don Natabe.

"The meeting was regarding their (FNRL) structure and Fiji's NRL bid," Saukuru said.

"I was trying to get clarification from the FNRL board on their structure that is in place.

Also a lot of people have been questioning their current relationship with the Kaiviti Silktails.

"We are putting together a paper for them (FNRL) to bid for a franchise club in the NRL."

Saukuru also said the paper was still going through Government's vetting process.

"Once that is done, it'll be tabled in Cabinet for the deliberation of the Cabinet members," he said.

The Kaiviti Silktails is not affiliated with FNRL as it operates as an overseas club.

The success of the Fijian Drua franchise rugby union team to participate in the Super Rugby Pacific for the past two years has boosted Fiji's chances of having its NRL team.

The Fiji rugby league team - Fiji Bati - has made the Rugby League World Cup semifinals in 2008, 2013 and 2018.

It is understood that attempts are made to speed up the process as the NRL bid has attracted interests from Papua New Guinea, Australia,

New Zealand, Hawaii and America.

The matter needs to be endorsed by Government so Fiji can notify NRL on its intent to bid.

Meanwhile, NRL expansion hopefuls in Perth, Port Moresby and North Sydney have been thrown into disarray by reports that the long-dormant Glebe Dirty Reds are set to throw their hat into the ringto be the NRL's 18th team.

According to Roar, while a new team in Perth enjoys strong support and could open a new market for the game, the Papua New Guinea

option is backed by the Australian Government and the North Sydney Bears reportedly retain a significant fan base, the Dirty Reds' bid is expected to erode the support of all other expansion hopefuls.

Sources close to the Dirty Reds have indicated the club was encouraged by the NRL's recent interest in exploring the American market through the forthcoming fixtures in Las Vegas, with the bid's impetus gathering pace after recent comments from Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chair Peter V'landys opened the door to legacy bids.

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