Expanded to six teams (Canada, United States, Japan, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji), the final phase of the Pacific Nations Cup will be organized from September 14 to 21 in Japan. Before an alternation with the United States in the following years.
The final phase of the Pacific Nations Cup, which brings together Canada, the United States, Japan, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, will be organized in September in Japan, World Rugby announced on Tuesday.
“The first final phases of the Pacific Nations Cup will take place in Japan, in Tokyo and Osaka, from September 14 to 21, and will be organized alternately in the United States in subsequent years”indicated the governing body of world rugby.
“Two regional groups of three teams are created to limit the movement of players during the group stage”added World Rugby in a press release about this new competition “which has the ambition to develop rugby and national teams in the Pacific within a new harmonized international calendar”.
The island nations, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, compete in Pool A from August 23 to September 6 while Japan, Canada and the United States make up Pool B (August 25-September 7).
The top two from each group meet in the semi-finals in Japan, with the third placed facing off in a match for 5th place.
“The Pacific Nations Cup is really important for Japan as it allows us to regularly play tests against strong countries in a competitive environment, which is great training for the players in preparation for the World Cup”assured Japanese coach Eddie Jones, believing that the Pacific Nations Cup “is in line with the Six Nations Tournament and the Rugby Championship”.
