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The Suva Rugby Union confirmed on Thursday that Manawatu will compete at the Suva Rugby Festival in January 2010.

This announcement follows hot on the heels of the news that the rugby unions of both Samoa and Tonga have also accepted invitations.

Manawatu, currently in good form in the Air New Zealand Cup competition, is home to Fijians Lote Raikabula and Tomasi Cama Jnr, two of the stars of Gordon Tietjens' New Zealand Sevens team that helped New Zealand finish fourth overall in last season's IRB Sevens Series including Cup final appearances in George, Wellington and London.

Exciting young wing Kurt Baker and IRB World Under-20 Player of the Year Aaron Cruden who captained New Zealand to the Junior World Championship title in Tokyo in June also play for Manawatu, who finished third in the New Zealand National Sevens championship in January.

"We're absolutely delighted that Manawatu can attend the inaugural Suva Rugby Festival," said SRU and Organising Committee chairman Vilikesa Rauca.

"The preparations are going very well indeed and it's shaping up to be a huge tournament."

Manawatu Sevens coach Paul Claridge is also looking forward to attending the tournament with a strong squad.

"It is an honour to be invited by the Suva Rugby Union to compete in the 2010 Suva Rugby Festival, and I personally still consider Fiji as the 'home of Sevens',” said Claridge.

"The Manawatu Sevens team has maintained a strong presence at the New Zealand National tournament over the last three years, finishing in the top five on each occasion.

"We continue to enjoy a strong association with members of the Pacific Island community here in Palmerston North and to be given the opportunity to play some of the best teams in the world is a tremendous opportunity and a challenge that hopefully will inspire the players to even greater heights."