Sports

Pacific Island Nations likely to miss out of World League rugby

February 28, 2019 4:18 pm

Fiji is highly likely to be excluded from the World League move after been shunned by international rugby leaders.

The New Zealand Herald reports that plans for a 12-team tournament for 2020 is now a possibility, with Japan and USA set to join the Rugby Championship under the new scheme.

This means that Pacific Island nations such as Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga is likely to be excluded from the competition.

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NZ Herald reports that an unknown broadcaster has tabled an offer which will earn each nation involved about $10-14 million a season.

The competition will see all 12 nations play each other once a year, with the four on top of ladder after the matches, set to face off in a play-off around November/December.

The All Blacks will play three home Tests in July against three Six Nations teams and then would travel to the northern hemisphere to play the other three later in the year.

NZ Herald also reports that the Rugby Championship and Six Nations tournaments will remain, with each competition changing to just a straight round robin format.