Japan to Host Inaugural Finals Series of Revamped Pacific Nations Cup

World Rugby have announced that Japan will this year host the inaugural Finals series of the revamped format of the Pacific Nations Cup. Contested between Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Canada, the USA and Japan, the tournament will provide these countries with an annual tournament of a similar stature to the Six Nations and Rugby Championship.

This year’s competition will see two pools of three teams play in a round-robin format between August 23 – September 7, with each team playing host to one test match on home soil. The Pacific Island giants of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga will compete in Pool A, while Canada, Japan and the USA will fight it out in Pool B.

All teams will then make their way to Japan to contest the Finals series. The Finals will consist of a Fifth Place Play-Off and two Semi-Finals in which the four top-ranked teams will compete for a spot in the Final. The Fifth Place Play-Off and Semi-Finals will be played in Tokyo across the weekend of September 14 and 15. The following weekend the action moves to Osaka for the Third Place Play-Off and winner-takes-all Final on the weekend of September 21.

Commenting on the announcement, Brave Blossoms Head Coach, Eddie Jones said: “The Pacific Nations Cup is really important for Japan because it allows us to play regular tests against strong countries in tournament conditions, which is great practice for the players for Rugby World Cup.”

“The Pacific Nations Cup fits in right next to the Rugby Championship and Six Nations in providing that regular competition for Pacific nations. Having finals is also a good way for players to experience games that have consequences, and it is great for Japan to host them in the first year, showing why it is a great rugby country.”