The Fiji Rugby Union has officially confirmed that the Flying Fijians will be part of the inaugural Nations Championship, scheduled to kick off in July 2026. This announcement was made by Leilani Burnes, the director of Fiji Rugby, on the evening of December 27, 2024.
Fiji, along with Japan, has received invitations to join prominent southern hemisphere teams, including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Argentina. The competition will also showcase several northern hemisphere teams such as England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. This new tournament is set to unfold over the years 2026, 2028, and 2030, featuring a format that allows each of the 12 participating nations to engage in six matches across both hemispheres. Northern teams will visit the southern hemisphere in July, while southern teams will head north in November.
The Nations Championship is poised to elevate the competitive landscape of rugby by uniting some of the world’s most formidable rugby nations in a premier competition. The finals weekend will be hosted in London, further enhancing the tournament’s significance.
The inclusion of the Flying Fijians is seen as a momentous leap for Fiji Rugby, especially following their commendable performances in 2023, where under head coach Mick Byrne, they secured seven victories in ten Test matches. The team has been diligently preparing for more significant challenges, including engagements with elite global teams. Byrne has expressed the need for greater competitive matches to refine the team’s performance, emphasizing how such encounters highlight essential improvement areas.
Moreover, Fiji’s participation in the Nations Championship aligns with wider ambitions to bolster the rugby profile in the country, nurturing a thriving rugby culture and creating richer opportunities for players. With additional international matches on the horizon, fans and supporters of Fiji Rugby have much to celebrate as the future looks bright, heralding potential remarkable accomplishments on the global rugby stage. The excitement surrounding the Nations Championship and the Flying Fijians’ inclusion reflects a hopeful outlook for rugby in Fiji, promising increased competitive exposure and development opportunities in the years to come.