The 2024 Pacific Nations Cup is set to feature an exciting new format aimed at enhancing global rugby competitiveness ahead of the expanded Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027. Organized by World Rugby in collaboration with the six participating unions—Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga, and the USA—the tournament will take place in 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, during the three-week pool stage scheduled from August 23 to September 7. The top two teams from each pool will move forward to the semi-finals.
The knockout rounds will commence on September 14, starting with the 5th place playoff at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo. This will be followed by the first semi-final on the same day at the same venue, with the second semi-final occurring 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.
The opening match on August 23 is expected to be a thrilling battle, featuring the Fiji Water Flying Fijians against a formidable Manu Samoa team at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva at 6pm.
This year’s competition will also introduce trials of new rugby laws and alterations to existing rules, adding an element of intrigue. Now in its 17th year, the Pacific Nations Cup is a significant fixture on the rugby calendar. The Fiji Water Flying Fijians, the defending champions, won the cup last year in Tokyo, marking their sixth title win in the competition, including four consecutive victories from 2015 to 2018.
As anticipation grows, both fans and teams are eager for a tournament that showcases high-quality rugby while laying the groundwork for future international competitions. The refreshed format and law changes are expected to present new challenges and highlight the evolving landscape of the sport.