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Over a year ago I mentioned the possibility of an expanded Pacific Nations Cup that would include USA and Canada. Well, it’s here!
The IRB decided to expand the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) mid last year, when the Churchill Cup – which involved Canada, USA, Tonga, the New Zealand Maori and eight other A-teams from time to time – was canceled in 2011 after the IRB decided to include the USA and Canada in its international Test calendar from 2012.
This year, in the inaugural expanded IRB PNC, five teams will be taking part – Fiji, Japan, Tonga, USA and Canada.
Samoa have pulled out of this year’s PNC to concentrate on their new four-team South African Quadrangular Tournament, which involves South Africa (the hosts), Samoa, Scotland and Italy.
This means there will be a new winner crowned in the IRB PNC, as Samoa are the defending champions.
The Tests will be played in four countries, with five of the matches will be held in Japan, three in Canada, one in the USA, and one in Fiji.
The games will not be run on a weekly basis this year, as some teams have also slotted in Tests and matches against other teams that aren’t part of the PNC.
USA will face Ireland at home in Texas and a week later Canada will also face Ireland in a one-off Test in Ottawa, Canada.
Japan have scheduled two Test matches against Wales at home. Tonga have scheduled a game against the top USA club side, San Francisco Golden Gate RFC.
Fiji, like Tonga, will not be partaking in a Test match against another nation but have scheduled a one-off game against the Classic All Blacks, a team made up of former All Black players who were no longer contracted to New Zealand Rugby Union to celebrate their Centenary year.
The Fijian Rugby Union tried to get the main All Blacks team but their offer was refused.
The Classic All Blacks team will include former stars Justin Marshall, Carlos Spencer, Joe Rokocoko, Jerome Kaino, Sitiveni Sivivatu among many others, including former Fiji winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca, who was included as a guest player.
The PNC begins this weekend and it is by far the best tier two competition in world rugby. It allows these second tier teams to add more Test matches to their itinerary each year, as most of these teams play a maximum of six Tests per year, compared to 13 played by the All Blacks.
It also allows team to compete for ranking points, which has become something these teams really strive for after the success of Samoa, who was ranked 13 only three years ago and is now currently ranked seventh and gets the opportunity to play against tier one teams for ranking points.
The IRB Pacific Nations Cup will be shown live and free on IRB’s website, so let’s hope this competition lives up to expectations.
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.