The NSWRL has confirmed a Fiji team will join the Ron Massey Cup next season with a view to eventually playing in the Canterbury Cup NSW.
The new team, known as the Kaiviti Silktails, will join the competition in 2020 with a view towards boosting the development of the game in Fiji and provide a new pathway for Fijian players to rise to the NRL.
Former Australia and Fiji Test star Petero Civoniceva was a driving force behind the bid and was present when the news was announced ahead of Friday's clash between the Australian Prime Minister's XIII and the Fiji Prime Minister's XIII in Suva.
"It's been about six years in the making but something of this nature was always going to take time," Civoniceva said.
"We've been very fortunate to have a good support network of people behind this push.
"I'm very grateful to the NSWRL to give us an opportunity to present our case and today's launch in Suva with both of our Prime Ministers present is a huge bonus.
"This will be a wonderful pathway to help local talent chase their dream of playing professional rugby league."