Pacific Double Header for Gold Coast: TONGA vs SAMOA / PNG vs FIJI

[DIEHARD]

I heard this around the traps.

Tonga vs Samoa / PNG vs Fiji

Would be fantastic if true.

[DIEHARD]

Im really excited about this.

Just imagine, four international communities descending on Robina. And we have seen the PNG and Fiji fanbases first hand at the 2008 World Cup.

Proximity to Logan means we should get a lot of Samoan and Tongan supporters.

This is an event not to be missed!

[DIEHARD]

WC platform

THE Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) will use the revamped Pacific Test competition as a platform to prepare for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

The annual Pacific rugby league Test will be expanded from one to two matches from next year.

According to Radio New Zealand, a Melanesian and Polynesian Cup double-header between Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga has been pencilled in for the first weekend of May on the Gold Coast, following the Anzac Test, with the winning teams to clash at the end of the year.

FNRL chairman Reverend Immanuel Reuben said they would take advantage of this new competition to improve on their chances in the upcoming RLWC.

He said the aim was to make the showdown in the 2017 event which will be held in Australia and New Zealand.

"It's great for us because this I think will be funded by the Rugby League International Federation so we don't have to bear any cost in participating," Rev Reuben said.

"This is one place where we can try our (local) players, give them game time and also exposure.

"May is also perfect for us because our competition would have started by then."

The Pacific Test series will add to a busy 2015 calendar for the region, with an international nines tournament also taking place during the Pacific Games in July.

Reuben said their aim was to include more local players in the Vodafone Fiji Bati team for the upcoming international matches.

"Our plan is to go for 50-50, 50 per cent of local boys and 50 per cent of NRL players and those playing in other grades abroad," he said.

"Obviously, those from abroad have to prove that they are worth to be considered in the national team as same as locals.

We want to expose as many local players through the opportunities like the Pacific Test competition to ensure those at home also have a chance to don the national jumper."

Reuben also confirmed newly-appointed national coach Shane Morris would join FNRL by mid of next month.

He said FNRL was "sorting out few things" with the Fiji National Sports Commission and once it was completed; they would formally appoint Morris as the new Fiji Bati coach.

Reuben said some local coaches would work with Morris as his understudy to take up the post when his term with FNRL was over.

"This year, we haven't had much to do because our hands were pretty tight in terms of finance and other things.

"We have cleared most of our debts accumulated from the last world cup with just few thousands left to pay.

"But we had a great season with a successful domestic competition. The interest in rugby league is without doubt growing as we saw some new teams joining us at the start of the 2014 season.

"We thank all our sponsors for their support and wish everyone a happy New Year."

http://www.fijitimes.com/

[TITAN PETE]

Sounds like a fantastic concept

[kioli]

Love it, hope I can be there.

[Mexican titan]

What a great days footy that promises to be.