Wednesday 16 November 2016 19:52, UK
Ben Ryan says a Super Rugby franchise in Fiji would help prevent players such as Nathan Hughes from moving overseas and representing other nations.
Wasps forward Hughes is set to make his full England debut against his native country on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, and he admitted his decision to pledge allegiance to England was motivated by the financial rewards on offer.
Ryan, who guided Fiji's Sevens team to Olympic gold last summer, does not blame Hughes, instead pointing the finger at the lack of resources in Fiji, but believes the creation of a Super Rugby team on the island would be a game-changer.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Facebook Live, Ryan said: "It shows that Nathan has good character; he was honest. You're not going to moan at any player who goes overseas to earn some money.
"We should stop complaining about that, fight fire with fire and have money on the island through a franchise.
"If you're looking at England, it's resources and consistency, he's going to get a fair crack. Whereas in Fiji sometimes, coaches and committees have come and gone, and you've been dropped for no apparent reason.
"That could be behind Nathan's thinking, that he's going into a resourced team that can win things.
"At the moment Fiji could have a miracle worker at the helm, but with the lack of time that the boys get…
"They had a three-day camp before the Barbarians game, sandwiched between Top 14 games that the boys had to get released for. How you can expect them to perform consistently on an international stage, however good they are?
"When they line up against England, one to 15, there's nothing in it. It's the other stuff."
England host Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday and members of the visiting squad who will take to the field this weekend are paid £60 a day - a sum dwarfed by the £22,000 their opponents receive for each international.
Ryan will conduct the jersey presentation to the Fiji players on Friday night and says they will be out to prove a point at Twickenham after their heavy loss to the Barbarians.
"When I see Akapusi Qera on Friday and how he's looking, it'll give me a good indication of where the boys are," said Ryan. "They'll want to prove that money counts for nothing when it's 15 against 15 on the field.
"We have talked about everything that is piled against the Fijians but it's a game of rugby. If the boys remember that, can retain the ball and stop England draining the life out of them at set pieces, they can go toe to toe."
