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They're just deliberately trolling us now right???New Zealand government considers backing Pacific Super Rugby team
SUPER RUGBY
May 15, 2018 9:56am
Source: AFP
The Fiji Warriors perform the Cibi war dance before playing the Force in Perth.
The Fiji Warriors perform the Cibi war dance before playing the Force in Perth.
Source: AAP
THE New Zealand government revealed on Tuesday it has examined the possibility of setting up a Pacific Islands Super Rugby team, reportedly to help offset China’s rising influence in the region.
The team would be known as “Pacific Force” and feature a combination of players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, New Zealand’s TV3 reported.
It said the Suva-based side would play home matches in all three countries as well as Auckland and Sydney, which have large Pacific populations.
“Part of the plan is that rugby can be a diplomatic force to counter China’s influence in the Pacific,” the report said.
It added: “The idea is that rugby will help keep hearts and minds away from China, which is saturating the region with money to obtain influence.”
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters earlier this year expressed “strategic anxiety” over the Pacific — diplomatic code for Beijing’s rising influence among island nations.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...0671a4c464cf36
They're so laughable
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
Hahahahahaha I actually hope it happens. I cannot wait to see the shambles super rugby becomes during its next round of "expansion". They completely botched it last time and will undoubtedly do it again...
I wonder who they are going to axe? Another Australian team? Who would they pick? The Brumbies? Then they are down to 3 teams.. then what happens during their next contraction? Would they axe another side? And if so who would they pick? I bet it would be the reds! Australian Rugby- Stronger as Two!!! They wont stop the cull untill its Eastern Sydney and the Rebels left!!! Thats Clynes Dream!
SANZAAR surely must have also been aware of this however, and the ARU heavily involved. Just the choice of the name seems cynical. Funny the grilling we got for Roadsafe being a sponsor, now we find out the NZ government was looking at funding a whole team with foreign aid money. Fair enough if foreign aid money was to fund grass roots rugby development in the Pacific Islands, but a whole Super Rugby team?
I would be more comfortable if at least it was something like the NZ government No Smoking division providing exorbitant sponsorship funding, and if they weren't being called the Force.
much ado about nothing
All very ironic, considering how many years ago, the NZRU vetoed iRB funding to the Pacific Islands for their intended involvement in the proposed OzPac "Super 8s" involving the Fiji, Japan, Tonga, Samoa, and the Aussie Super 14 teams. The reason given? That iRB funds shouldn't be used to prop up an Australian "domestic" competition.
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?