Fiji’s bid to field a men’s and women’s teams at the 2026 NRL (National Rugby League) received another major boost yesterday.

This was after SUNsports was reliably informed that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has recently written to his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, informing him of his support in the bid and the need for Fiji to be granted an expansion license to enter the NRL Premiership competitions.

In an interview on Wednesday, Rabuka told SUNsports that he’ll continue to push for Fiji’s bid.

“I will continue to read and talk to them (his Australian counterparts (about Fiji’s bid),” he had said.

Rabuka, who is a Life Member of the Fiji National Rugby League, highlighted to the Australian PM, the extensive positive outcomes the sport will deliver for our region, the Fiji-Australia relationship, communities in Fiji, the corporate and tourism sector in Fiji.

Rabuka’s move is another big plus in Fiji’s bid after Cabinet had endorsed it in March.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad told SUNsports that they have tax incentives provided in the National Budget to support companies or organisations, that want to sponsor the Fiji men’s and women’s teams for the NRL.

When approached Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru reiterated that Fiji has the talent pool to compete in the NRL against the Australian and New Zealand clubs.

“We are ready as there are a lot of players that are already playing in the NRL so it’s a good pathway for our local players to come and play in the NRL,” he said.

“We are working hard for another international stadium but we’re looking for partners of how we can do that through the Fiji Sports Council.”

If Fiji gets NRL license, they will be hosting 17 home games. That does not include the three pre-season matches and four extra matches if they qualify for the finals play-off.

DPM and Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Viliame Gavoka said that is why they hopeful that Fiji’s NRL bid would come our way.

“The implications in terms of sports tourism are going to be huge as we’re talking about a good number of events held in Fiji,” he said.

Gavoka said the bid can secure Fiji’s future for the Australian market.

“Rugby League is massive in Australia and Australia is our number one market. The impact on the foreign market is going to be phenomenal.”

Gavoka said sports tourism plays a pivotal role in the country’s tourism industry.

Meanwhile, two players of Fijian heritage will be playing in Sunday’s NRL Grand-Final at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia.

Defending champions Penrith Panthers have named Sunia Turuva on the wing while Melbourne Storm has got Tui Kamikamica in the forward. Both players represent the Fiji Bati (national rugby league team).

Fijian players why have played in the NRL Grand-Finals over the years include Noa Nadruku (Canberra Raiders), Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane Broncos), Lote Tuqiri (Brisbane Broncos/ South Sydney Rabbitohs), Sisa Waqa (Melbourne Storm), Api Koroisau (South Sydney Rabbitohs/ Penrith Panthers, Marika Koribete (Melbourne Storm), Suliasi Vunivalu (Melbourne Storm), Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers), Sunia Turuva (Penrith Panthers) and Tui Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm).

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