While the elite Test nations are driven by cash and commerce, Samoa and Co are struggling to keep pace
The Autumn Internationals have concluded, and it was the first time that all three Pacific Nations had toured and been involved and played consistent top level rugby against major nations outside of a World Cup.
Two or three times since the turn of the century, the Islands have toured the North, but it has not been a consistent affair.
As a consequence, the nations struggle to continually develop. Since 2000, Samoa have played 61 games, Fiji have played 62 and Tonga have played 57. It is a solid number of matches, but half that of any major Test nations. The lack of consistency and structure to their Test seasons is hurting them long term.
Also, it is not as attractive to tour the countries themselves.
Samoa has a population of less than 200,000 and a GDP according to the International Monetary Fund of approximately 500 million. Fiji has nearly 900,000 people with a GDP of over 3.5 billion. Tonga has just over 100,000 people with a GDP of little over 250 million.
These are numbers that do not represent the big money that is now part and parcel of the rugby touring landscape. Why would the big Tier One nations tour the Pacific Islands when far more hype, crowds, media exposure and pay checks come when playing at Twickenham or taking the product into developing rugby markets – but mature economical markets – like Tokyo or Hong Kong.
Source: sportingo.com