THE Fiji National Rugby League is planning to send more local players overseas in the future.
With a four-year plan until the next Rugby League World Cup, the FNRL revealed it wants more local players to be exposed at international level.
After the recent RLWC in England where only two local players made the cut into the Vodafone Fiji Bati side, FNRL development officer Jo Dakuitoga said they had started the plan for the next RLWC.
“We want to follow what we did in 2008 when 40 players secured overseas contracts and then 16 players made the Fiji Bati side,” he said.
Fiji reached the semi-finals of the RLWC for the first time in 2008.
“Unfortunately, only two players made the Bati side last year and we want more players to compete for a spot in the national side.
“We want to send them overseas now so they can be exposed and gain experience at a higher level.”
Recently, Fiji Residents trio, Ilisavani Jegesa, Sisa Balekolo and Iliesa Cakau secured contracts in the Cook Islands.
Dakuitoga added more local players would be sent overseas in the future.
“When we send them across, it is easier for them to be developed at a higher level,” he said.
Suva (Fiji Times)
