Six teams vie for 2019 Pacific Nations Cup [1]
Thursday, December 27, 2018 - 17:29. Updated on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - 18:31.
Japan, Canada, and USA are joining Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa in the 2019 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup tournament from 27 July to 10 August 2019 in preparation for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Two of the matches will be held in Japan where the Brave Blossoms will play Fiji in Kamaishi, and Tonga in Hanazono. Both cities are venues for the Rugby World Cup to be held between 20 September to 2 November 2019 in Japan.
According to World Rugby [2], the cities were selected as an opportunity for fans to build an affinity with the teams.
“This announcement reflects our commitment to provide a strong preparation platform for these unions immediately prior to our showcase event, to build excitement in two host cities and deliver an important programme of testing and readiness ahead of Asia’s first Rugby World Cup,” said World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont.
Japan Rugby Football Union Chairman Noriyuki Sakamoto is pleased Japan will host the Pacific Nations Cup 2019 matches, just two months before Rugby World Cup 2019 commences.
“We look forward to welcoming Fiji and Tonga to the match venues of Rugby World Cup 2019, Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium in Iwate and the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka, respectively.”
Top 20 ranking
The six participating teams qualified for the Rugby World Cup and are ranked in the top 20, with Fiji the reigning champions and highest ranked team after winning against France in November.
The fixtures will be played in a cross-pool format with each team playing three games on 27 July, 3 August, and 9-10 August. The team that records the maximum number of points across the tournament schedule wins the tournament.
Fiji, Samoa, and the USA will also host some games - with Tonga missing out. Teufaiva Stadium was damaged when Tropical Cyclone Gita hit earlier this year.
Pool A includes Fiji, USA, and Tonga, and Pool B includes Japan, Canada, and Samoa.
Fiji is currently eighth in the World Rugby Rankings [3], Japan 11th, USA a record 12th, Tonga 14th, Samoa 16th and Canada 20th.
'Ikale Tahi vs All Blacks
According to the All Blacks website [4], before the Rugby World Cup the 'Ikale Tahi will also take on the All Blacks in a one-off test match on Saturday, 7 September 2019 in Hamilton.
New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive, Steve Tew said the game is an important part of preparation for both teams.
“We invited Tonga to play this fixture, which we saw as an important part of the All Blacks’ preparation, but also a great way for Tonga to prepare for Rugby World Cup 2019. We envisage this will be an opportunity for fans to provide a colourful send-off for both teams.”
The match will be played at FMG Stadium Waikato at 2.35pm in a city which recently hosted the Rugby League World Cup where Tongan fans filled out the venue in support of Mate Ma'a Tonga.
The afternoon game will allow both teams to manage recovery before departure. Tonga will leave for Japan on Sunday after the test match, and the All Blacks will leave on Monday.
Tonga go into the Rugby World Cup's Pool C in what is considered a “pool of death”, facing England, France, Argentina, (ranked in the world top 10) and USA.