Fiji has taken what the island nation's rugby body considers a step towards a Pacific Islander team in the Super 14 by kicking off the inaugural Fiji 10s.

Wallaby great Mark Ella is director of the week-long tournament that is open to first grade and sub-district standard teams from Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, South Africa, Japan and Fiji.

"It's a great opportunity for 40 teams from around the world to play in an international competition," Ella's business partner Rob Horton said.

"There are rumours the IRB want the next Super 14 team to come from the Pacific Islands and this is seen by the Fijian Rugby Union as an opportunity to prove they can do the job."

The tournament, which will run from October 18 to 25, is sanctioned by the Fijian Rugby Union and supported by the Government.

News of the tournament coincides with the appointment of former Wallaby Glen Ella as the high performance manager of the Fijian Rugby Union.