In the land that helped produce the likes of Akuila Uate, Semi Radradra, Marika Koroibete, the Naiqama brothers and the Sims brothers, the NRL is making inroads. As the sign on the way back from Suva airport to the century-old Grand Pacific Hotel said, 'this is rugby country'. But for how much longer? Talking to local media, they will tell you rugby is still No.1. Not so much the 15-man version, but the seven-a-side variation.

But they will also tell you about the change afoot, and how rugby league is behind it. Kevin Naiqama, who travelled home to Fiji with the NRL this week as part of the Pacific outreach program, said there was a noticeable culture shift in his homeland. "There's been a dramatic change, and a lot of that is because of our last two world cup campaigns, finishing fourth both times," Naiqama said. "The rugby league community wasn't known in 2008. No one ever played rugby league here. But since then, and with us finishing fourth last year, there's been a massive increase in rugby league. That's what we wanted to do. We wanted to have a presence in Fiji, especially with rugby union being the number one dominant sport. "We wanted to do it for the country, because we knew what could happen back home if we performed well. Because it wasn't so popular we took it upon ourselves to put rugby league on the map back home because rugby union was taking heaps of the players."

Parramatta jerseys, Warriors jerseys, Canterbury jerseys – even Leeds Rhinos jerseys. They had them all. The reaction to seeing and holding the State of Origin shield even rivalled the scenes at Suncorp Stadium earlier this year when NSW finally ended Queensland's eight-year dominance. Perhaps this is the start of a new era in Fiji, too. They were baby steps, but at least they were steps.

Trekking across Fiji with Naiqama, Tim Sheens and NRL officials, from school to school, through towns and villages from Suva to Nadi, spreading the word that had previously gone unheard. For most of the kids, it was the greatest day of their lives. And for most, a day they will never forget. Their eyes wide open, staring in amazement. In disbelief that this was happening to them. Pictures, autographs, souvenirs – you name it, they wanted it. "I think it means a lot to them, not only the NRL being here but having someone like myself as a representative of them making it and coming back and giving back," Naiqama said.

"Putting a smile on peoples faces. Back in Australia I wouldn't get this reception with the amount of games I've played, but goes to show how much they cherish it." Interest in rugby league in Fiji has transpired in a bid, led by Petero Civoniceva, to enter a NSW Cup team in or after 2016. The NRL is also looking at opportunities to bring elite international football to the region. "We've had some really positive discussions with Fiji government this week, in particular the ministry of sport, who have all given their support to the NRL's pacific strategy," NRL head of game development Andrew Hill said. "Interest is also high amongst Fiji businesses and we're very pleased to be in discussions with the Fiji National University. It is anticipated we will see 10,000 students over the next 12 months through our development and staff as we look to establish our presence in Fiji.

"On the back of recent solid on-field performances from Fiji Bati, rugby league now has the opportunity through the NRL to invest in Fiji and other Pacific nations. There's a genuine opportunity to grow the game and improve international competition beyond the three main countries." Sheens was one of the first coaches to explore the Pacific when he brought Noa Nadruku to the Canberra Raiders from Fiji, a pioneer who went "straight from the island into first grade," Sheens said. "The numbers of quality young kids, which you see in the rugby sevens and in the NRL with Koroibete, Aku Uate, Semi Radradra, Lote [Tuqiri] and the Naiqama boys. It's not just Aussie-born Fijians. There's still a career path for those in Fiji and hopefully the NRL will continue to develop those paths. Loading "You could see the response that Kevin got. I saw the same response in Samoa for Sonny Bill Williams earlier in the year. There's no doubt they are the people the kids look up to. They lead the way, the better they go the better it is for Fiji and the same goes for the other Pacific Island nations."

Michael Chammas travelled to Fiji as a guest of the NRL.