How many rugby fans would like to see a combined Pacific Islanders team in the same format as the British & Irish Lions?
If teams tour the Pacific Islands, they would play each of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga separately, but when the Islanders tour Britain and France for example, they would do so as a combined Pacific Islanders side. There is no reason why players from smaller rugby nations like the Cook Islands and Niue shouldn’t be eligible for selection either.
If the touring team played together regularly, it would be a strong side which would play an open, attacking style of rugby. They would be very popular and draw large crowds and thus television revenue which could be used to further develop the game in the Pacific Islands.
The combined side would also be part of a southern hemisphere Five Nations tournament with Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina.
The concept is not new. In fact a Pacific Islanders team played one test each against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in 2004. They lost all three matches, but the games were competitive, exciting and drew good crowds. The scores were 14-29, 26-41 and 24-38.
Combined Islanders teams toured Europe in 2006 and 2008, with a single 25-17 victory over Italy.
The venture dissolved due to financial issues and internal disputes, with the Samoan Rugby Union leaving the alliance in 2008. I suspect this failure had more to do with lack of vision, poor financial and political management and inadequate support from the IRB than any inherent unviability of the concept.
Had Australia, New Zealand and South Africa shown some longer term vision and included the Islanders team as a permanent fixture in a Southern Hemisphere Four Nations tournament from 2004, the individual Pacific rugby boards would have been forced to work together and also subject to more financial scrutiny, as well as earning a lot more money.
I reckon the 2006 and 2008 European tours would also have been more successful.
Additionally, the Super 15 tournament might have been improved with the inclusion of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, obviating the need to create fifth, weak Australian and South African teams.
With Argentina expanding the Tri Nations tournament to four in 2012, maybe it’s time to make it Five Nations and bring back the Pacific Islanders.
Fully agree with below.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, the Super 15 tournament might have been improved with the inclusion of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, obviating the need to create fifth, weak Australian and South African teams.
Only issue here is their home games.
The way for these teams to get better is for more inclusion. Problem is that we don't want them getting too much better.. Sunday is an example of what could happen a lot more..
I reckon a Combined Islanders side which played regularly might be a chance to win a Southern Hemisphere Five Nations tournament within a few years.
ReplyDeleteA share of TV revenue would help to build better stadia for Fiji, Samoa & Tonga's home games in the Super 15, or Super 16 or Super 18 or whatever unmanageable number it will eventually become.
Additionally, we could have a haka-off between the teams and possibly some Islander versions of the old style Roman gladitorial contests at half time, but with stone axes.
Instead of letting the kids run onto the field to kick the footy like in the AFL, each match could finish with a wild all-in brawl between drunken, axe and spear wielding spectators.
Watching a bunch of Pacific Islanders smack the Wallabies around again? For sure! Great idea, Fingo!
ReplyDeleteWould it really be worse than being beaten by South Africa, England or God help us, the French?
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