Cabramatta International Nines

Tony Munro - 4/2/2012

Since the demise of the World Sevens, the Cabramatta International Nines has provided a small pre-season morsel for those who crave a taste of the game's expansion internationally.

This year, Vanuatu and Philippines head the 'overseas' contingent in the field of 21 teams, their presence given added interest after vows the tournament would help kick-start the development of the game in those countries.

Crowd favourites, Japan, have raised eyebrows by opting out of the Nines to play an international against the United States in Hawaii later this year, with some in Japan thinking the money may have been outlayed instead on development back home.

'Portugal', comprising mostly Sydney-based Rugby Union players are back, as are Niue, led by Mike Filimona, raised on the 'Rock', as the locals like to call it, but now living in San Francisco, and thought a potential United States Tomahawk by some.