Former All Blacks centre Alama Ieremia says international rugby is slowly changing in favour of Pacific Island teams such as Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
Samoa Rugby Union's head coach Ieremia is in Fiji for the 2016 World Rugby Pacific Challenge as the manager of the Samoa A team.
Talking about the general standard of rugby on display by the three island nations in the tournament, the once feared backline utility feels improvements are being made.
"The game is actually moving towards suiting Pacific Islanders. The openness and making sure of the ball skills of island forwards is very critical now," he told the Fiji Times.
"You only have to look at the professional outfits around the world and see island players who are ball players as well, especially in the forwards."
The former Wellington Hurricanes assistant coach and backline star said competitions such as the Pacific Challenge were vital for local players.
"I think it's absolutely critical. It's a well-run tournament. It's my first time here and I can see the value of it," he said.
"I hope it gets bigger and bigger. I think if it wasn't for this sort of tournament, it will be difficult to get quality from the Pacific.
"The biggest challenge as always has been on having competitions like this. It is very important because it helps close the gap between this and Test rugby."
Ieremia said all four teams playing in the Pacific Challenge were competitive.
"Watching teams use this tournament for different reasons throughout their national teams' campaign, makes this very important," he said.
"Actually being here now, you can see the value of development that nations put into it and for others, it's about players needing practice and game time.
"I think it's a very valuable tool." Ieremia said.
Ieremia played 30 International Tests for the All Blacks and five for Manu Samoa. He has 41 Super Rugby caps with the Wellington Hurricanes.