Super Rugby Pacific’s plans to stage a multi-game “Super Round” or a locally branded “Bula Round” in Fiji remain alive but hinge on upgrades to stadium infrastructure, Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said, setting out specific technical and facilities hurdles that must be cleared before the competition can bring a full weekend of matches to the islands.
Mesley told reporters that while accommodation for players, officials and visitors would not be a limiting factor, venue standards currently fall short of what the competition requires for a five-game weekend. “From an accommodation point of view, I don’t think that’s an issue at all. It’s probably more at a stadium level,” he said, noting two primary requirements: broadcast-quality lighting to allow night games and a minimum of four high-standard change rooms to stage doubleheaders.
“With playing five games over a weekend, we need to play night games. And on this side of the island, where the accommodation is, that means we would need to have broadcast quality lighting at the venue,” Mesley explained. “And from a change room perspective, we’d have to have double headers. So, we would need four change rooms at a level high enough for Super Rugby to do it. So, there are some infrastructure challenges. We would love to start working with the government and the Drua and Fiji Rugby to work together on how we overcome some of those challenges.”
Mesley’s comments are the clearest sign yet from the competition’s leadership that a Fiji-hosted Super Round remains a strategic goal, but one that will require coordinated investment and planning. He emphasised collaboration with the Fijian government, the Fijian Drua franchise and Fiji Rugby as the pathway to resolving the technical shortfalls highlighted.
Alongside the infrastructure update, Mesley praised the rapid rise of the Fijian Drua since they joined Super Rugby Pacific, pointing to on-field results this season as proof of the franchise’s positive impact. “Drua have been such a great addition to the competition since they came in and have certainly added so much to Super Rugby Pacific,” he said, citing the Drua’s wins over the Hurricanes and the Brumbies as standout moments. Mesley said the Drua have produced the kind of upsets and close contests that the competition wants to encourage.
The timing of Mesley’s remarks comes amid a broader national conversation about supporting major sporting events. The Fijian government has previously signalled willingness to back sports development through incentives and policy measures, including tax benefits for major sports initiatives—an indication of political appetite that could now be channelled toward stadium upgrades if stakeholders agree.
For now, the message from Super Rugby Pacific is conditional optimism: Fiji remains a desirable destination for a showcase round, but broadcast and player-facility standards must meet the tournament’s requirements. Mesley concluded by expressing confidence in the Drua’s future, saying the long-term aim is to see the franchise consistently competitive “like all of the teams,” at home and across all venues.
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