NRL to play pre-season trial matches in the Pacific Islands

At least two NRL clubs will play annual trial matches in the Pacific Islands starting from 2020.Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the new deal from Suva on Friday.According to NRL.com, two teams will play official trial matches in the region in 2020, 2021 and 2022.The NRL has not announced which clubs will feature in the trials but has said that they will visit the region for more than just the match.Players will spend a number of days in the region before and after the trial fixtures, participating in a range of programs for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.These include programs that involve "social
inclusion, participation, equality and health and wellbeing" according to NRL.com.The announcement follows the Federal Government providing financial support towards a Fijian rugby league team competing in the NSW Cup competition.Bridget McKenzie, the Minister for Sport, believes that this announcement will help grow the game of rugby league in the region."Rugby League is incredibly popular in the Pacific Islands," she said."If we can translate that into greater grassroots participation, we know that it will lead to more active and healthier participants."The push to get a Fijian team into the NSW Cup follows the success of the Papua New Guinea Hunters in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup.The Hunters won their inaugural Premiership in 2017, and have finished in the top eight in every year they've been in the competition.A Fijian team is expected to enter the NSW Cup in 2020.