Fiji Rugby Union Chief Executive Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua said the increased funding from the International Rugby Board will be well utilized by the High Performance Unit.

Tavanavanua has clarified that the $5.7 million increase in funding for the 2009-2012 period is specifically targeted at a number of HPU initiatives and is separate from the IRB's Annual Development Grant provided each January and separate from tournament funding and education and training programme expenditure.

He said the FRU will receive up to $1.3 million in 2009, the same amount in 2010 and then $1.5 million in 2011 and also in 2010.

Tavanavanua said the focus of this particular investment from the IRB is strategic investment that will lift the competitiveness of the second tier unions, and the HPU projects underway include more gymnasiums around the country and assistance for elite training programmes.