Sport: New major sponsor for Fiji Rugby

The Fiji Rugby Union is heralding "a new era" after announcing Fiji Airways as their new major sponsor on a five year deal.

The national airline will lend its name to the Flying Fijians and Fijiana 15-a-side teams, the Fiji men's and women's sevens sides, the Fijian Drua team in the Australian National Rugby Championship and the Fijian rugby referees.

President of the Fiji Rugby Union, prime minister Frank Bainimarama, said the benefits of the partnership would flow both ways.

"The Fiji Rugby Union will gain not only from flights and financial support under this deal - they will also be aided by the significant marketing clout that comes from pairing with a global brand like Fiji Airways," he said.

"And in return, the marketing message of Fiji Airways will get a big boost by a strengthened bond to our national rugby teams. And with our ruggers as the public face of the brand, Fiji Airways will truly be represented to the rest of the world by the very best of Fiji."

Union chief executive John O'Connor said the partnership would "herald a new era for FRU and Rugby Union in Fiji".

"We have been on a journey of transformation since 2015 and this is part of that journey," he said.

"While the journey has been tough and challenging at times, it is humbling to be here tonight to witness how far we have come in a short period of time".

The sponsorship deal begins immediately with the Fiji teams to play in their new jerseys when the Flying Fijians take on Italy and Fiji hosts the Oceania Sevens next month.