Latest triumph to fuel development of the sport at home
Fiji rugby will reap huge benefits from the World Cup Sevens victory, said the country's coach, Wayne Pivac. He said the euphoria stemming from the success would fuel plans to build a multi-million dollar rugby stadium and a scheme to offer players contracts in a bid to keep them at home.
'This victory will raise the interest level at home again. We have been going through a bad patch, but by winning the World Cup everyone, including sponsors, will be keen to get involved in rugby again,' Pivac said.
The New Zealander, who is also the national 15s coach of Fiji, said the national blueprint for the future would be disclosed soon.
'We will soon be contracting 50 players, 35 for 15s and 15 in sevens into the national set-up. While the leading players will still be attracted overseas by the dollar, we hope we will be able to keep some players at home. This is also a great way to convince young talent to stay at home,' said Pivac.
He said a national stadium would be built on Denarau island housing everything from living quarters for players to a restaurant and swimming pool. 'A US$50 million stadium will be built which will house the Fiji Rugby Union headquarters and offer facilities for players. We will have a lecture theatre and the country's high-performance units will operate from there.'
