Pacifique Treize Rugby League is an expansion bid for a team representing the French speaking Pacific Island territories of New Caledonia, Vanuatu, French Polynesia (Tahiti) and Wallis and Futuna that will be based in Noumea, New Caledonia.

The bid was established with the primary aim of developing a rugby league club that will be headquartered in New Caledonia to compete in the Queensland based competitions including the Mal Mengina, Cyril Connell and Hostplus Cup. T

he Pacifique Treize bid would look to identify and develop playing talent from the French territories within the Pacific region, namely New Caledonia, French Polynesia (Tahiti) and Wallis and Futuna, along with close Melanesian neighbours including Vanuatu.

The Queensland Rugby League has shown a willingness to look beyond traditional boundaries, wth the inclusion and success of the Papua New Guinea Hunters since 2014.

The bid will also look to work closely with the Australian South Sea Island (ASSI) communities in Queensland which would create a unique opportunity for the team to be well supported at away games. ASSI communities share historical and cultural links to New Caledonia and Vanuatu and have significant populations in a number of Intrust Super Cup team locations, namely Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Sunshine Coast and Tweed Heads.

As New Caledonia is only a short 2 hour flight (and Vanuatu 2.5 hours) from Brisbane, the opportunities to present world class rugby league to these new and growing rugby league markets is incredibly exciting.