Fiji National Rugby League Head Coach Brandon Costin is optimistic to develop the local players so they can play professional league.

Costin says he will be keeping a close watch on players during the Vodafone Cup competition, who will have the potential in becoming resident players.

“I want to develop those players into becoming residence players and then on into, hopefully, the New South Wales Cup side which is like the second or third strongest Rugby League competition in the world. So if we have a local team from Fiji competing in the third best competition in the world, I think they’re professional and they’re going to get paid.”

Costin will be over-looking the rugby league competition around the country as part of his talent identification programme.