Rugby union in the Marshall Islands of the playing population consists of Fijians and Tongans, along with some Americans. Rugby union in the Marshall Islands Rugby union in the Marshall Islands is a minor but growing sport. Rugby was introduced to the islands at some point in the twentieth century. Like many other Pacific nations, rugby is often not formally organised. Due to their small numbers, and scattered island population, they have often preferred rugby sevens to the XV game. However, rugby is less popular in the Marshall Islands, than some of the other Pacific islands. Rugby Sevens has been a sport in the South Pacific
History of the Marshall Islands Heart visited the Marshall Islands in 1904 and 1911 for several weeks. He published a small work in 1912 about the Catholic mission activities and the people of the Marshall Islands. Under German control, and even before then, Japanese traders and fishermen from time to time visited the Marshall Islands, although contact with the islanders was irregular. After the Meiji Restoration (1868), the Japanese government adopted a policy of turning the Japanese Empire into a great economic and military power in East Asia. In 1914, Japan joined the Entente during World War I and captured various German Empire colonies, including