Rugby union in the Marshall Islands 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 Games since the late 1990s. The Marshall Islands' main problems are related to
Marshall Islands due to poor living conditions, lack of rain, or nuclear contamination. The uninhabited atolls are: The average altitude above sea level for the entire country is . In October 2011, the government declared that an area covering nearly of ocean shall be reserved as a shark sanctuary. This is the world's largest shark sanctuary, extending the worldwide ocean area in which sharks are protected from . In protected waters, all shark fishing is banned and all by-catch must be released. However, some have questioned the ability of the Marshall Islands to enforce this zone. The Marshall Islands also lays claim