Fiji will host the Prime Minister’s XIII game for the first time this season, enter a team into the Ron Massey Cup next year and then transition into the Canterbury Cup the following season in a huge boost to rugby league in the Pacific Nation.

The developments are timely filip for Fiji as they prepare to take on Lebanon in Saturday night’s Pacific Test Invitational against Lebanon. The fixture was in doubt due to a potential Cedars boycott but will now go ahead after a temporary cessation of hostilities between players and the Lebanese Rugby League Federation.

It's hoped a the addition of a Fijian team in the NSWRL competitions will help unearth the next Suliasi Vunivalu. Credit:SMH

For several years, Fijian officials have been in negotiations to enter the NSWRL competitions. The biggest stumbling block has been securing the funding required, although that has largely been overcome courtesy of grants from the Australian government.

It’s hoped the addition of a Fijian team into the Ron Massey Cup next year, which will transition into the NSW Cup in 2021, will be a success story similar to the introduction of the PNG Hunters in the Queensland Cup and help unearth the next Suliasi Vunivalu or Viliame Kikau.