Talks continue on Veimoana Rugby Partnership

Talks are underway between Rugby Australia, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga regarding the proposed Veimoana Partnership.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, Rugby Australia (RA) general manager Daniel Mills said the five-year partnership would be about AUD$150million (FJD$234.5m).

Mills was part of the RA executives that visited Naceva in Beqa yesterday to conduct rugby clinics, donate rugby kits to students of Uluinakorovatu District School as part of the Vuvale Week.

He said while it is still at an early stage the partnership would benefit the three countries through rugby development and providing a pathway for local players to becoming professionals.

“It’s been Pacific designed, and it’s Pacific led,” Mills said.

“The rugby unions of Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, and Rugby Australia have come together to design what we hope is an elevated rugby partnership for the future of rugby in the region. It’s sustainably designed.

“Hopefully we’re going to be able to repeat what we’ve seen with the success Fijian Drua, also in Samoa and Tonga. The way that it’s designed is we’re building the capabilities in the capacity of rugby, but starting at home.”

Mills said it would be similar with what the Fijian Drua has established- building a club at home with its own administration.

“It’s giving younger boys and girls the opportunity to look up and say- I can be a professional rugby player and I can stay at home in my community, or I could be a professional coach, or a match official, or, you know, the next Jeff Miller, CEO (chief executive officer) of the Fijian Drua.”

He added this was crucial as Australia is building up to host two Rugby World Cups (RWC)- 2027 men’s RWC and women’s RWC in 2029.

“This is the home World Cup, not just for Australia, but for Fiji and Samoa and Tonga as well. So it’s a fantastic and exciting time for rugby and we’re very, very hopeful that the Veimoana partnership comes to life and breathes new energy and further strengthens Pacific Island rugby.

“I’m unable to kind of give a definite start time, but I can tell you that lots of work is happening in the background. Rugby Australia is meeting regularly with the national unions of Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, another regional and global rugby administrator and high performance experts.

“If it does get funded, can elevate our partnership, here in the Pacific to the next level, it’s going to be an exciting time for rugby. The world better watch out, because, you know, your next World Cup winner could certainly come from Fiji, Samoa or Tonga.”

RA executives included president RA president Kristy Giteau, former Wallabies duo Lote Tuqiri and Radike Samo, Fiji Rugby Union chairman John Sanday and Fijian Drua CEO Jeff Miller.