The International Rugby Board will not automatically program more Test matches against top nations for Pacific Island teams which performed impressively at the Rugby World Cup in France, according to the Fiji Times.

The newspaper quoted IRB communications manager Greg Thomas as saying while the IRB was impressed with the performances of Fiji and Tonga in France, the Pacific nations would have to do more before they were regularly allowed to play top teams.

"The first aim of the Pacific Islands must be to beat teams like New Zealand Maori and Australia A in the Pacific Nations Cup on a consistent basis to show that their development is sustainable," Thomas told the Times.

"This will make the SANZAR unions (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia) take notice as it is fair to say recent results between the Pacific Islands and Australia and New Zealand have not been close."

The Times said an IRB meeting next month in London would discuss the development of Pacific rugby and possible playing opportunities for Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

"A major problem is the rugby calendar is already full and this is why in November the world's major stakeholders, including representatives from the Pacific, will gather near London to try to find a solution to a better integrated season," Thomas said.

"That said, the IRB is keen to encourage the likes of Australia and New Zealand to better assist the development of rugby in the Pacific. The IRB has put in place many new tournaments around the world to provide more international matches for developing nations."

Fiji beat world rugby heavyweights Wales to reach the World Cup quarter-finals where they were beaten 37-20 by South Africa. Tonga won two pool matches before narrow losses to England and South Africa cost them a quarter-final place.

Pacific nations have asked the world body why they still receive a collective vote at IRB meetings, as Oceania, while nations such as Wales, which they have beaten, enjoy individual voting rights.

Thomas said the voting rights issue was sensitive and subject to review.

"The structure of the IRB is evolving and changes are being made now that we have a professional game at the top," he said.

"As to the future this will depend on the member unions and their appetite to ask for change through the General Assembly and ultimately the Council."

AP