Revamped 2024 Pacific Nations Cup Kicks-Off Soon

Rugby enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the start of the revamped 2024 Pacific Nations Cup, which promises an exciting new format. This year’s tournament, organized by World Rugby in partnership with the six participating unions—Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga, and the USA—aims to elevate global rugby competitiveness ahead of the expanded Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027.

The competition is divided into two pools. Pool A features Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, while Pool B comprises Japan, the USA, and Canada. Each team will play two matches, one of which will be a home game, during a three-week pool stage running from August 23rd to September 7th. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals.

The elimination rounds kick off on September 14th with the 5th place playoff at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. This will be followed by the first semi-final on the same day and at the same venue, while the second semi-final will take place there the next day. The tournament will culminate on September 21st with the 3rd place play-off and the Grand final at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka, Japan.

The opening match on August 23rd promises to be a thrilling encounter as the FIJI Water Flying Fijians take on a strong Manu Samoa team at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva at 6 pm. This year’s competition will also feature trials of new rugby laws and some law changes, adding an extra layer of intrigue.

The Pacific Nations Cup, now in its 17th year, has been a significant event on the rugby calendar. The Fiji Water Flying Fijians are the defending champions, having won the cup last year at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo, Japan, cementing a record six title wins in the competition, including four consecutive victories from 2015 to 2018.

As the excitement builds, fans and teams alike are looking forward to a tournament that not only showcases high-quality rugby but also serves as a cornerstone for future international competitions. The revamped format and new regulations promise to bring fresh challenges and highlight the evolving nature of the sport.