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.
Wii
Guest
BS it's the NZRUS fault if anything they have saved Fiji the humiliation of being thumped on their home patch.
NZ is multicultural
Guest
I am tired of this poaching rubbish, New Zealand is a multicultural country most players of Pacific Island origin that play for the A.B's are born and bred in New Zealand. Fact is that in the 2011 world cup there were more NZ. born players in the Samoan team then there were Samoan born players in the A.B's check your facts. At the same time I enjoyed your article and think that the expanded Pacific Nations cup is awesome, it gives the pacific nations the opportunity to take their brand of tough, fast uncompromising rugby to North America where I am sure that the fans would enjoy it. and agree with you that it is a shame that sides from N.Z. and Australia are not involved, as I think that Japan and Samoa (when they are included) would be far tougher tests now then they were a few years ago.
Matt
Guest
I think it would be a mistake to play the AB's against the Eagles too soon. At the present levels it would be hard to gain much for USA rugby if/when the AB's put a big score on the board. You have to remember that the Eagles are mostly made up of amateur players, with a handful of overseas based professionals. I think the Maoris will be a massive step up for the USA and overtime hopefully the Eagles will improve to the point where they can play proper test matches. But blow out scores don't really gain very much. As for the RC expanding, I think it'll be more likely (and far more successful) to build the Canadian and American games up over time and when their brand is strong enough they can be introduced. But you have to look at the progress of Argentina to see what it takes. You need a big base to the pyramid, with a lot of players and a lot of professionals to create a team capable of competing with the worlds best teams week to week. The North American sides are another decade (at least) away from this stage. I think it'll happen, but we (the fans) have to realistic and patient.
winston
Roar Rookie
"What does politics have to do with Rugby?" Do you know why we South Africa wasn't in the first world cup? That pro status is from commenting on another sport doesn't it.
winston
Roar Rookie
"poaches?" who and when?
Jerry
Guest
"Samoa has played Australia twice since 2000 and has played NZ only 5 TIMES in history, even though NZ pretty much “poaches” all their players from Samoa." Samoa has played NZ twice since 2000 and has played Aus only 5 TIMES in history too, genius.
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
since 2000, Fiji have played Australia TWICE only (2007, 2010), we have played NZ 3 times (2002, 2005, 2011)..yes combined our nearest rugby "friends" have played us only 5 times in 13 years...Samoa has played Australia twice since 2000 and has played NZ only 5 TIMES in history, even though NZ pretty much "poaches" all their players from Samoa. so please don't come here defending NZ and Samoa..NZ has never played a SINGLE TEST in the islands (fiji, samoa, tonga)..EVER...Australia last played in the islands back in 1984 when they played Fiji...
PeterK
Roar Guru
I would not think so. Financial concerns, and a full intl calendar means tier nations rarely play any PI teams especially in the PI. Your hope of rankings point would only conceivably come into it the year that they are doing a draw for the rwc even then it would be a slim hope IMO.
Bakkies
Guest
Politics has a lot to do with Rugby. Governments place sanctions on countries such as Fiji which make it difficult for their players to get visas to get contracts or just to enter the country to play a test match.
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
What does politics have to do with Rugby? unless 100% of the team is made of military men as well as coaching staff, that should never be a problem...Fiji may not currently be a democracy but it has been doing quite well under this ILLEGAL government than it has done with those ELECTED by the people...
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
I think television rights to the RC ends in 2015 so only in 2015 can they include more teams in the RC..
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
Hey, if Samoa somehow beats South Africa (and we know the current saffer super rugby teams aren't doing well), ten this could also boost interest in teams playing in the islands.....especially samoa, beating samoa on their home turf can get u a maximum of 3 ranking points..
Jerry
Guest
What a load of rubbish - since 2000 Aus has played the exact same number of matches against Fiji & Samoa as NZ. Except one of Aus matches was in a RWC so they've actually scheduled less fixtures against them.
Johnno
Guest
They are but i'd like it extended, to have the AB'S pal USA and Canada. Re-jig the RC , include more teams come say 2016 when the TV deal starts. AIG also now are sponsoring USA rugby. So a full test would be even more profitable. The NZRU has an agreement to help USA rugby and work with them, so USA VS NZ will happen I predict by 2025. Either before or after RWC 2019.
tc
Guest
AIG has sponsored the Maori All Blacks to play the USA and Canada for the next five years ,so New Zealand is doing its part in getting these tier two nations ready for the big stage .
Johnno
Guest
I watched Japan VS Tonga on the IRB live stream it was for free. It was a good little game. Good crowd, both teams have improved. Be awesome to see big country like Japan in the RC. Japan VS AB'S/Wallabies at a big 80,000 crowd in Tokyo, would be awesome. Japan at home are not easy beats now. There gonna get better. And make the whole rugby championship bigger, kinda like the ICC champions trophy in cricket. The RC could be expanded to 10 teams. he current 4, plus the 5 PNC sides, and Samoa. You double dip and play a lot of the Fiji/Samoa/Tonga games in Aust/NZ/USA, where big pacific islands populations exist this reduces the travel costs. Just play 3 group games, over 3 weeks, then a semi final top 2 teams from each group, then a grand final. The whole tournament could be done in about 6-8 weeks, like with the RC now. Format. Play 2 games in 2 weeks, 3rd week rest, 4th week the 3rd group game, then the 5th weeks semi-final, then a 1 week rest, before the grand final. That's - 7 weeks tournament . Done simple. Trust me you;d get some upsets. Samoa would back themselves to beat the Boks or Wallabies in Auckland. USA/Canada would now fancy themselves against all team at home but the AB'S, it would be a cracker tournament. Japan would fancy themselves by 2016 to beat Argentina/Wallabies in Tokyo. An expanded RC would be fantastic.
mania
Guest
in samoa's defence tho the things they learn from playing the boks will be priceless. sure money'll be better but what the boks have to teach is vital to the long term survival of manuSamoa
Working Class Rugger
Guest
It is a pity that Samoa aren't competing but they have chosen to chase the better commercial and competitive tournament. What I would like to see in the near future along with an expanded PNC is an expansion of the Pacific Rugby Championship. Or, the IRB look to Bill Pulver's Super B concept to provide the PI "home" teams a proper competition in which to play and develop in.
mania
Guest
Vhavnal - arent u forgetting the coup and the lack of legal elections? NZ doesnt have to babysit and give Fiji rugby handouts (or Samoas for that matter) but less so now with an illegal govt and no legitimate elections since bainimarama took over
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
"Maybe Fijian Rugby should have tried to organize the ABs a little earlier than November last year" they discussed this with them in 2010, and then again in June 2011 after the one-off Fiji-NZ tests and then again in November last year....its not FRU's fault this time as FRU is generally at fault when it comes to developing fiji rugby..., its NZRU's...