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In 2013, we may see a new rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere. The new Pacific Six Nations will match the bigger competitions such as the Six Nations and the QuadNations (The inclusion of Argentina in the Tri-Nations series from 2013).
The Pacific Six Nations will include the six best tier-two nations in the world in Tonga, Samoa, Japan, USA, Canada and Fiji. This is something the IRB has been working on since the abrupt cancellation of The Churchill Cup.
USA Rugby has been working on getting two of its top clubs into the Heineken Cup competition but the chances of this happening is not good.
The expansion of the current Pacific Nations Cup to include both USA and Canada might actually benefit all the countries as it will allow each country two more Tests per year.
Tier one teams play at least 12 Tests per year, whereas tier two teams get six Tests at best. This may also allow more income for these tier two teams from gate takings as well as TV broadcasting deals.
In 2011, the two most successful tier two teams were Samoa and Tonga. Samoa managed to beat the Wallabies in a one-off Test match and also came close to upsetting Wales and South Africa in the World Cup pool matches. Tonga managed to defeat the 2011 World Cup finalist France in pool play, a win which gave them their best ever world ranking of ninth.
Japan also had a good year as they were crowned the 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup Champion. Fiji had their worst two years in the history of world rugby. They were regarded by most as the best tier two team in the world, but have slipped from ninth 16th, their lowest since World Rankings were introduced in 2003.
The New Pacific Six Nations, if approved by the IRB, will allow teams to be more competitive and also provide tougher competition, something which has been lacking since the departure of Australia A, The Junior All Blacks and the New Zealand Maori team from the competition.
The North American teams rarely get a chance to play island teams. Tonga, being part of the now defunct Churchill Cup, has played against Canada and USA many times, as well as Japan. Canada and USA have defeated the other three teams in the competition many times except for Samoa. This competition will allow the USA and Canada to face tougher opposition.
As rugby is now a global sport, it’s about time IRB opened its doors to the smaller nations who have been suffering due to lack of competition and funding. An expanded Pacific Six Nations, which is played at a different location every year, will allow for growth and support for the minor teams like USA and Canada where rugby still does not have a large enough following.
Come the 2015 Rugby World Cup, these six tier two teams will be able to field much stronger sides in the competition, and maybe create a few more upsets along the way.
The 2013 IRB Pacific Six Nations Cup, or whatever the IRB decides to call it, is a much awaited competition by rugby fans in the islands and North Americas, and we hope that it gets approved.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.