Fiji back in World Rugby Council with 'new constitution and governance structure'

World Rugby has reinstated the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) back as a member of the governing body's council almost 15 months after it was suspended for "governance challenges".

The decision was confirmed by the World Rugby Executive Board meeting late last month.

"Fiji has been reinstated to the World Rugby Council with immediate effect, following the Executive Board's approval of the Fiji Oversight Committee's recommendation to reinstate the union," World Rugby posted on X, formerly Twitter.

"This follows the adoption of a new constitution and governance structure in line with the required roadmap outlined in May 2023," it added.

The FRU was removed from the council last year, following a takeover by the coalition government, who appointed an interim Board to set a new constitution and system in place.

"The FRU will continue to work diligently to uphold the values and standards expected by World Rugby," union said in a statement on Wednesday.

FRU Interim Board chairman Peter Mazey said they are thrilled with the news.

"We are incredibly grateful for the support of World Rugby and the commitment shown by our stakeholders during this process," Mazey said.

"The adoption of our new constitution and governance framework is a testament to our dedication to moving Fiji Rugby forward. This reinstatement is not just a victory for our Union but for all our players, coaches, and fans who have stood by us during this period.

He said it will allow the union "to strengthen our ties within the global rugby community and to continue our mission of growing the game of rugby in Fiji".

The FRU is looking forward to work with the World Rugby Council members, he said.

The FRU will now nominate its representative to the World Rugby Council, who will be required to be vetted in accordance with World Rugby Integrity Code.

The next step for the FRU now is also to call for the annual general meeting, where elections for a new Board will take place, which will be done by provincial union members from across the country.

The news comes as the Flying Fijians prepare for the defence of the Pacific Nations Cup title that they won last year.

Flying Fijians without overseas-based players

Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne announced his squad on Tuesday, without their big-name players.

Sstar players like Semi Radradra, Waisea Nayacalevu and Josua Tuisova will not be part of the competition.

"Yeah there's a number of our overseas players, this is the first time they don't have rugby on their plates," he told a media conference on Tuesday.

"A number of our players have personal and family issues to attend to. As you will understand a number of our overseas based players returned straight to their clubs after the Rugby World Cup.

" They finished with the All Blacks test and we are looking forward to welcoming them back in November."

Nayacalevu has changed clubs from France to England, like number eight Viliame Mata.

Byrne has instead gone for some new faces, who will join the Fijian Drua players in his squad.

Six new players are in the 30-man squad.

They are Kavaia Tagivetaua, Adrea Cocagi, Vuate Karawalevu, who also join Fijian Drua players Mesake Vocevoce, Apisalome Vota and Epeli Momo.

Byrne said the six have proven themselves and warrant call-ups into the national team.

He said with the 2027 Rugby World Cup a good three years away the time to breed new players and test them is now, especially when overseas-based reps are unavailable.

With Manu Samoa being their first PNC opoonent in Suva on August 23, Byrne said match fitnessi is something they will need to work on.

He said they will need to build on that as they go through the season, with the benchmarks set by top Tier One teams like the All Blacks, Argentina and the Springboks, who all played Test matches last weekend.

"That's the benchmark we want to achieve," he said, referring to how those teams faired with their player fitness.

He said camping six days away from their first PNC game will not give them enough time to work on match fitness.

But he is confident the coaching team will get through with the players.

Having played three games in July, including against the All Blacks, he said players who were on tour then know what is demanded of them.

They start camp on Saturday.

"Players from overseas will be flying in on Friday and our first day at camp will be Saturday of which we will get all our administration work done, medical checks done, our S&C testing done and our kit allocations and then our first training session on Sunday afternoon," he told the media.

Drua vice-captain and hooker Tevita Ikanivere will be series captain.

Byrne said Ikanivere has proven himself and continues to grow in his leadership role.

On why Drua captain Meli Derenalagi was not considered as team captain, Byrne said the former Queen Victoria School player has been relieved of the role so he can focus on his game.

They will meet Manu Samoa at the HFC Bank Stadium on August 23 at 6pm.

Tonga names young squad

In a similar situation, the 'Ikale Tahi have also named a young squad, made up of local and New Zealand based players.

Star players like Moana Pasifika duo Sione Havili Talitui and William Havili, Europe-based number eight Vaea Fifita and centre Malakai Fekitoa have all missed out.

The squad named by head coach Tevita Tuifua and assistant Nili Latu have heavyweight prop Ben Tameifuna, Tau Koloamatangi, Lotu Inisi, Fine Inisi, Fetuli Paea and Patrick Pellegrini as the experienced hands.

Tuifua said alot of their key players were unavailable, as the TRU also looks at developing players for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

He said the players will gather in Nuku'alofa to start camp on 19 August, before they travel to Apia for their 30 August date with Manu Samoa.

Manu Samoa, under new coach Mase Mahonri Schwalger, have been preparing in Apia over the last two weeks.

They travel to Suva next week to meet Fiji on 23 August.

World Cup expansion

Meanwhile, he 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup in Australia will see 24 teams competing, four more than the 20 that battled in France in 2023.

Fiji has already qualified as one of the 12 teams who have secured their spots.

Both Manu Samoa and the 'Ikale Tahi will be competing for their spots at the event.

Good news for them is the top three teams, apart from Fiji and Japan, will qualify for the world meet from the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup series.

The sixth placed team will also get the chance to qualify through the repecharge system.

World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said, "this qualification process is on the side of growth and sustainability for the game as a whole".

"We are fully committed to respecting the fundamental principle of expanded opportunity, and the blend of existing regional competitions, new cross-region competitions and a final qualification process reflects that ambition as well as the desire to deliver teams on merit.

"Providing certainty to the unions in pursuit of the Australian dream will help teams fine tune their preparations and provide fans with an exciting road to Rugby World Cup 2027 next year where all places will be up for grabs.

"It is our desire for the process to qualify teams into the first iteration of the Nations Championship Division 2, which begins in 2026. This has the major advantage of ensuring that all teams will have strong, high-level competition and preparation ahead of Rugby World Cup 2027, raising standards globally."

World Rugby said the redefined process follows extensive consultation with World Rugby's six Regional Associations and is underpinned by the World Rugby Council decision in October 2023 to expand the tournament from 20 to 24 teams, reflecting the sport's mission to supercharge global growth.

World Rugby said with all qualification set to be concluded by the end of 2025, a first for Men's Rugby World Cups, all teams will be known before the Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw takes place ahead of the Men's Six Nations 2026.

The new format will feature six pools of four teams, with a round of 16 added prior to the quarterfinals. This will enable the tournament window to be reduced from seven to six weeks.