A newly introduced format by World Rugby in this year’s Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) has sparked significant interest. This initiative is in collaboration with the six participating nations: Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Japan, Canada, and the United States of America (USA). World Rugby’s objective is to heighten global rugby competitiveness ahead of the expanded men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027.
This year’s PNC is divided into two groups. Pool A includes Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, while Pool B consists of Japan, USA, and Canada. Each team will play two matches, including one home game, during a three-week pool stage from August 23 to September 7. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the semifinals.
The elimination rounds start on September 14 with the 5th place playoff at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. This will be followed by the first semifinal on the same day at the same venue, while the second semifinal will occur there the next day. The tournament will conclude on September 21 with the third-place playoff and the grand final at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka, Japan.
The opening match on August 23 promises an exciting clash as the Flying Fijians face a strong Manu Samoa team at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva at 6 pm. This year’s competition will also feature trials of new rugby laws and some law changes, adding an extra layer of intrigue.
The PNC, now in its 17th year, is a notable event on the rugby calendar. The Flying Fijians are the defending champions, having secured the Cup last year at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo, Japan, making it their sixth title win in the competition’s history, including four consecutive victories from 2015 to 2018.