World Rugby has introduced a new format for this year’s Pacific Nations Cup (PNC), sparking considerable interest. This format is in collaboration with the six participating nations: Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Japan, Canada, and the United States.
The main objective of World Rugby is to enhance global rugby competitiveness in preparation for the expanded men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027.
This year’s PNC is divided into two pools. Pool A includes Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, while Pool B consists of Japan, the USA, and Canada. Each team will play two matches, including one home game, over a three-week pool stage from August 23 to September 7. The top two teams from each pool will move on to the semifinals.
The elimination rounds will commence on September 14 with the 5th place playoff at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. The first semifinal will also take place on the same day and at the same venue, followed by the second semifinal the next day. The tournament will conclude on September 21 with the third-place playoff and the final at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka, Japan.
The inaugural match on August 23 will see the Flying Fijians face off against a formidable Manu Samoa team at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva at 6 pm. This year’s competition will also trial new rugby laws and some law changes, adding further intrigue.
Now in its 17th year, the PNC has been a key 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, marking a record six-title wins in the competition, including four consecutive victories from 2015 to 2018.