IRB in Fiji to address Pacific's plight

The IRB's Pacific Islands Advisory Committee (PIAC) will hold its inaugural meeting in Fiji on Wednesday - the first step in a consolidated drive to improve the lot of 'Tier 2' rugby nations.

The committee was established by the IRB to oversee the establishment of high performance initiatives and new tournaments in the region.

The IRB recently announced that over £3 million ($5.4m) will be invested among Fiji, Samoa and Tonga for high performance initiatives.

Additionally, up to £4 million ($7.1m) is to be invested in a Pacific League cross-border competition, involving two regional teams from each of the three Pacific unions.

A Pacific 'Six Nations' tournament has also been touted, involving Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

"Fiji, Tonga and Samoa have the potential to make the step up from Tier 2 to Tier 1 and the implementation of specific high performance programmes together with the new proposed competition structures will provide the platform for this," said Bob Tuckey, vice-chairman of the IRB and newly appointed PIAC chairman.

"PIAC will work with the thee unions to ensure there is a defined regional focus for the programme and this inaugural meeting is an important milestone in the future development of rugby in the Pacific Islands.

"It also highlights the IRBs commitment to drive the continued competitiveness of rugby worldwide."

The meeting agenda includes the establishment of a memorandum of understanding between all the stakeholders, the organisational structure for the management of the programme and human resources including the appointment of an IRB General Manager Pacific Islands and High Performance Managers in each of the three Pacific unions.

Also to be reviewed are the required structures and logistics for the new tournaments and the commencement of the identified high performance initiatives.

The PIAC currently comprises Tuckey, Keni Dakuidreketi (Fiji), Tuilagi Esera (Samoa), Sakopo Lolohea (Tonga) and Graham Mourie (New Zealand).

The committee will be supported by IRB Rugby Services Manager, Mark Egan and IRB High Performance consultant Daniel Collins.

Harry Schuster will attend the meeting in his capacity as President of Federation of Oceanic Rugby Unions.