New Competitions, New Attitude

Samoan rugby fans watch a test match at Apia Park. (Photo: Peter Rees)

But now it seems the sport's governing body is serious about helping Fiji, Samoa and Tonga realize the potential the world has always known they held.

The first step has been the appointment of a general manager to coordinate the IRB's Strategic Investment program. The program is designed to make world rugby more competitive by helping tier two nations such as the Pacific unions lift their standards.

Although there was cautious response to a youthful Australian getting the coveted job instead of an islander, Will Glenwright believes he is the right man for the job.

Glenwright tells Pacific Magazine that he is taking a pro-Pacific approach in dealing with the unique challenges that now face him. And he believes he has the appropriate background and experience to understand the environment and people he is now working with.

"The Pacific Islands is a culturally and economically unique region and it's imperative that any multinational organization in the Pacific not only acknowledges this but also understands how to operate effectively. Sport is no different," says Glenwright.

"(Sports) that have succeeded in the Pacific Islands are those that have developed strategies and approaches specifically for the region. We are investing a lot of money in the Islands and we have to be smart about how we go about it to ensure that the game continues to grow and prosper."

Glenwright is no stranger to working in the Pacific Islands and is quick to point this out as an advantage.

"I have a good understanding of the Pacific Islands sporting landscape, having run a variety of programs for the Australian Sports Commission in the region throughout the past eight years," he adds. It also helps that Glenwright is a confessed rugby nut and for three years was a director on the board of the ACT Brumbies rugby team in Australia. Glenwright is part of a flat management structure consisting of three "wise men" entrusted to develop Pacific rugby. The other two are IRB High Performance Consultant Daniel Collins and IRB Development Manager Lee Smith.

Glenwright is the first to admit that there will be pot holes along the way.

Logistical issues are common place when doing business across the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. So while the IRB's vision for the Pacific is ambitious, it is pragmatic in its expectations at the same time.

"My mandate is to develop the platform to make the Pacific Island Unions more competitive on the international stage and of course I think that is possible," Glenwright explains.

"One needs only to look at sevens rugby where Fiji are World Champions…and the success of Pacific Islanders overseas to realize that the potential is there.

"However we do have to be realistic about the time frames in which this can happen and I think it would be a tad romantic to think that we are going to see a tangible return on this investment by the 2007 World Cup.

"Certainly by 2007 we will have the systems and structures in place, but the fruits of this labour won't become evident until the 2011 World Cup and perhaps even later. That is when the first 'graduates' of our High Performance Programmes will be playing Test Rugby."

The IRB has targeted competitions, high performance and governance as key areas this year.

A buzz of excitement surrounds the pending launch of two new competitions. The first is the provincial based Pacific Triangular Championship (PTC) starting in April and finishing in May. It will be run under a six team, home and away format with two teams each from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. The PTC will help emerging locally based players gain more exposure.

Though there is a lot of work ahead, Glenwright is optimistic about the future.

"We are at the dawn of a new and exciting era for rugby in the Pacific and everyone involved is very excited. And this is just the beginning."