Brett Robinson, the World Rugby chairman and a former Wallabies flanker, recently weighed in on the ongoing debate regarding the prominence of rugby league versus rugby union in the Pacific region. This discussion was sparked by Peter V’landys, chief of the NRL, who boasted about rugby league’s success in the 2025 NRL annual report, proclaiming it as Australia’s top sport.
Robinson contested this assertion during the Hong Kong Sevens, reaffirming that rugby is deeply rooted in Pacific culture. With due respect to V’landys, he stressed that rugby union remains the Pacific’s game. Despite acknowledging that league is gaining ground, Robinson conveyed a sense of urgency for rugby to maintain its foothold, particularly as the Moana Pasifika team prepares to exit Super Rugby and a new Papua New Guinea team aims to join the NRL in 2028.
Tana Umaga, a prominent figure in rugby union and coach for Moana Pasifika, expressed concern about rugby league’s allure, emphasising the passion of Pacific Islander communities for the sport. He cautioned that if these populations gravitated entirely towards league, it would be detrimental to rugby union’s future.
In response, Robinson dismissed any notion that World Rugby is complacent, highlighting a significant $15 million investment aimed at developing rugby pathways within the Pacific islands. He also underscored his commitment to collaborating with Rugby Australia and engaging with government officials from Australia and Samoa to foster support for rugby in the region.
Robinson’s passion for the integral role the Pacific Islands play in rugby’s global success is apparent. He pointed to the Fijian Drua’s achievements as evidence of rugby union’s growth, with the team contributing positively to Fiji’s national squad, even expressing regret over Australia’s defeat to Fiji in the recent World Cup, which he celebrated as a pivotal moment for the game.
As rugby union continues to strategise and rebuild its foundations in the Pacific, the rivalry with rugby league remains fierce, underscoring the critical need for both codes to secure their positions within a passionate and competitive sporting landscape.