Oceans Apart

[chipnchase]

The long awaited Dan Leo documentary 'Oceans Apart' focusing on the plight of Pacific Islands rugby is now available on Amazon Prime.

Well worth an hour of your time.

[chipnchase]

Assuming nobody has watched this or theres just zero interest in the Pacific Island nations.

[TigerFeetSteve]

Assuming nobody has watched this or theres just zero interest in the Pacific Island nations.

Intrested but with 2 kids under 3 not had time to watch yet...

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I might give it a watch tonight if the kids let me have the remote....

[Cagey Tiger]

Assuming nobody has watched this or theres just zero interest in the Pacific Island nations.

First time in forum since the OP. Having taken up Amazon Prime for the Autumn Nations Cup, I'll have a look at some point soon.

Thanks for the info

[Dr H Flashman MBE]

It’s very thought provoking and in places shows the human side to it all.
Kind of makes me feel guilty for all the times I have thought “why don’t we get a Pacific Islander for this or that position”.
Well worth a watch and just the fact the level they are used.

[Tiglon]

Looking forward to watching it when I have time, thanks for the heads up

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Watched it last night, it's definitely eye opening!

World Rugby and the tier 1 RFU's need to have a look at themselves. It really wouldn't take much for them give a small amount of the gate fees to enhance the game in the smaller nations.

Also Tier 1 teams should be forced to play a match in a tier 2 nation when touring nearby. Aus and NZ should definitely be playing regular matches against pacific island teams.

[MCC1964]

Watched it last night, it's definitely eye opening!

World Rugby and the tier 1 RFU's need to have a look at themselves. It really wouldn't take much for them give a small amount of the gate fees to enhance the game in the smaller nations.

Also Tier 1 teams should be forced to play a match in a tier 2 nation when touring nearby. Aus and NZ should definitely be playing regular matches against pacific island teams.

Can all of the islands host international rugby?

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They might not all be Twickenham, but I'm sure they have a stadium each.
Tonga's has just been rebuilt following Typhoon damage, helped by NZ government.

[Cardiff Tig]

I don't know how true this is, but wasn't one of the Wales v Tonga games moved to NZ because of travel times to the nearest healthcare or something similar? I seem to remember that the rugby infrastructure wasn't necessarily the issue but I can't remember any details so maybe I've made this up in my head...

[JP14]

A very thought provoking documentary, Leo should be very proud of the work he is doing. I can see Covid being conveniently used as an excuse to prevent unions from sharing gate receipts but it’s clear that World Rugby needs to make a stand and they can’t just let things go as they are.

They should let players like Charles Piutau and others play for the Islands, it’s stupid-mindedness and blind protectionism from unions that is holding the World game back, preventing the Pacific Island nations from developing whilst ensuring players can make enough money to send home for their families.

[tjs10inOz]

I don't know how true this is, but wasn't one of the Wales v Tonga games moved to NZ because of travel times to the nearest healthcare or something similar? I seem to remember that the rugby infrastructure wasn't necessarily the issue but I can't remember any details so maybe I've made this up in my head...

The 2017 Tonga v Wales fixture was moved to Eden Park in New Zealand as the redevelopment of the national stadium in Nuku’alofa was running behind schedule.