Pacific Islanders want to join Tri-Nations

BRIEFS: Former All Blacks prop Kees Meeuws is out for the rest of the season after he ruptured an Achilles tendon playing for Welsh club Scarlets in last weekend's Magners League defeat to Munster.

"He pulled up after a scrum in the Munster game and to be honest, it has come as a real blow to us," chief executive Stuart Gallacher told the Telegraph.

Scarlets play Ulster in back-to-back matches in the Heineken Cup next up after losing their opening two matches against Stade Francais and Harlequins in October.

"I've got huge frustration for the boys. I'm fed up of coming second and losing gloriously," said head coach Nigel Davies.

"There was huge frustration against Munster that we won the game and then lost it again.

"There was a certain amount of inexperience out there, but we have got a lot of quality to come back into the team. But injuries are still plaguing us and we've picked up another three or four again."

PACIFIC ISLANDERS WANT IN

The Pacific Islanders want to play in an expanded Tri-Nations competition.

After overpowering Six Nations side Italy, skipper Mosese Rauluni said a combined team should be included in the tournament that currently involves New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

He also called for an increase in international fixtures for Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

"The Islanders concept should carry on as it is a great honour to represent the Pacific with our brothers from Tonga and Samoa," Rauluni told the Fiji Times.

"We still have to strive for more tests as individual nations as this is what will make us stronger in the long run.

"Maybe putting the PI team in the Tri Nations would solve some questions and put Fiji, Tonga and Samoa in some sort of expanded PNC comp, including Argentina and some other teams."

ITALY WANTS TO BE SUPER

Italy is considering creating a 'super side' to play in the Celtic League after the low quality of their domestic competition was blamed for the national team's recent defeats by Australia, Argentina and Pacific Islanders.

The Italian rugby federation and clubs in the existing Super 10 league will meet next Wednesday and on December 19 to discuss the proposal and other ideas.

"To modify what we have at present, you need good sense. Everyone will have to give up something for the good of the group," federation president Giancarlo Dondi told Gazzetta dello Sport.

-Agencies