Pacific islands teams Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua have been granted conditional licences to join a proposed Super Rugby competition next year, New Zealand Rugby said on Wednesday.

The NZR board's decision is a major step toward the teams joining New Zealand and Australian Super Rugby sides in a new tournament in 2022.

NZR said the Pacific teams' participation would be conditional on their final business plans and Rugby Australia's support.

RA was unable to provide immediate comment.

"We are moving into the final phase of planning for 2022 and beyond, and we have confidence that Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua will be able to meet the conditions of the licence, which includes final sign off on a sustainable business plan by June 30," NZR Chief Executive Mark Robinson said in a statement.

"In the next two months we will be working with Rugby Australia and the two Pasifika teams to formalise their place in the new competition for what we believe will kick off an exciting, new era for the professional game."

Fijian Drua, launched in 2017, competes in the lower tier Australian National Rugby Championship and won the title in 2018.

An invitational Moana Pasifika squad was beaten 28-21 by the Maori All Blacks in a one-off match last year.

Fijian Drua is expected to be based in Fiji but Moana Pasifika, which would be comprised of players from Tonga and Samoa, is likely to operate out of New Zealand due to cost concerns.

New Zealand has pushed for Pacific inclusion in a new tournament with Australia's professional teams since the broader Super Rugby competition, which included South African sides and one from Argentina, was abandoned last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governing body World Rugby provided further impetus last month by pledging £1.2 million ($1.65 million) annually over three years to help facilitate the entry of the Pacific teams.

"This is a big moment for the Drua and will provide the impetus for us to finalise our equity partners, appoint coaches, contract players and confirm our commercial partners," said Fiji Rugby Union Chairman Conway Begg.

"We are on the home stretch and excitement is building across Fiji."