The IRB has announced a new format for the 2011 Pacific Rugby Cup. Previous renditions consisted of two local teams from each of the Pacific Island rugby nations of Samoa, Fiji and Tonga, who battled it out to be crowned champions
As of this year, the competition will consist of the local ‘A’ teams from each nation with the best local talent for selection. It also throws in an added twist with three teams from Australia and New Zealand participating as well.
Confirmed teams for Pacific Rugby Cup 2011:
Fiji Warriors (2010 champions),
Samoa A,
Tonga A,
QAS Academy Reds (QLD),
Junior Waratahs,
Brumby Runners,
Crusaders Development XV,
Hurricanes Development XV,
Chiefs Development XV.
The tournament will start on February 19 with the Australia series, where the Junior Waratahs host Tonga A at Foreshaw Rugby Park. Other matches include Brunmby Runners versus Samoa A at Canberra Stadium and QAS Reds versus Fiji Warriors at Ballymore.
It will run for two more rounds in Australia as each Australian team takes on the PI nations up to February 28.
Round 4 to round 6 matches will be played in New Zealand. The final leg will then take place in Fiji as the PI nations battle it out from March 19 to March 26.
However, no word has been given whether the Australian teams will be playing the other NZ teams or whether the other six teams will even be eligible to be crowned champions of the 2011 PRC.
All in all, I think the tournament was thrown together too quickly, without any future developments and what exactly they are hoping to achieve with it given adequate consideration.
Hopefully the IRB will stick to this format and persist with it since no doubt the local PI players will emerge for the tournament as better players.
This could be the start of a second tier competition below the Super Rugby competition.
Who knows, perhaps these PRC matches could have been used as curtain raisers to the main Super Rugby matches.
p.Tah
Guest
You mean to tell me I shouldn't believe everything I read on the Roar!
AndyS
Guest
So if they were played as curtain raisers, does that mean that the Super side would hand over 30% (say) of the gate? It may be IRB funded, but I doubt they've been given a blank cheque. This competition has always been one of the few revenue opportunities for the PI, and we can hardly expect them to agree to it being hijacked just to increase the appeal of another competition.
Brett McKay
Guest
p.Tah, I'm sure I've been to Brumbies games where the Runners have played at 1730, so that can't be right. That game mentioned above at Canberra Stadium is before the first Brumbies home game too. Same info from Tahs: http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/News/NewsArticle/tabid/157/ArticleID/1266/Default.aspx
kovana
Guest
2 hours... Jeekers.. I always found it strange they never hold any curtain raisers to the main Super rugby match. Why is this policy (if it exists) is even in place? TV rights or something? Or are they concerned about the pitch?
kovana
Guest
Dont know about Australia. But we in Samoa usually get the PRC matches on Delayed coverage the following day FTA. Ahhh.. its great in Samoa since all S15 matches, 7s, 3N and RWC matches will be on FTA :D
el gamba
Guest
Any idea on whether these will be televised?
p.Tah
Guest
I agree, they'd be great curtain raisers. I recall one Roarer saying that SANZAR requires that games that are played before a super rugby game need to finish something like 2 hours before the main game starts. If this is true no one is going to turn up to the pre game, which is such a waste.
kovana
Guest
Indeed. I would have liked this tournament be used as a curtain raiser for teh super 15 matches. Also surprised that no Auckland team was announced.
p.Tah
Guest
I hope they do stick with the concept. It gives good development opportunities for PI teams and the the AUS/NZ super rugby development teams. I don't believe the Rebels have an academy side and the Force were understandably put out that they weren't included. Does anyone know why the Force academy, a Highlander and a Blues development XV weren't included? I agree that it makes a good second tier comp below super rugby which is what AUS and the PI need.