A new format introduced by World Rugby in this year’s Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) has generated 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 aims to enhance global rugby competitiveness ahead of the expanded men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027.
FORMAT
This year’s PNC is divided into two pools. Pool A includes Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, while Pool B comprises Japan, USA, and Canada.
Teams will play two matches each, one of which will be a home game, during a three-week pool stage running from August 23 to September 7. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals.
The elimination rounds begin on September 14 with the 5th place playoff at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. The first semifinal will follow on the same day at the same venue, while the second semifinal will take place there the next day.
The tournament will conclude on September 21 with the third place play-off and the grand final at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka, Japan.
NEW LAWS
The opening match on August 23 promises excitement as the Flying Fijians host a strong Manu Samoa team at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva at 6pm. This year’s competition will also feature trials of new rugby laws and some law changes, adding extra intrigue.
The PNC, now in its 17th year, has been a notable event on the rugby calendar. The Flying Fijians are the defending champions, having won the Cup last year at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo, Japan, securing a record six-title wins in the competition, including four consecutive victories from 2015 to 2018.