PNC: Fiji set to take on Samoa

Tournament hosts Fiji take on Samoa this Saturday in a tie that could yet have a huge influence in the outcome of the Pacific Nations Cup.

Tournament hosts Fiji line up against Samoa this Saturday in a tie that could yet have a huge influence in the outcome of the Pacific Nations Cup.

The Junior All Blacks currently sit at the summit of the standings following three wins, but they still have to play against the unpredictable Tongans, who first collide with Japan at the weekend.

Based on results so far, the gap between the tier two unions and the second string line-ups of the game's superpowers has all but closed. There is still some way to go, but Samoa went down to the Junior All Blacks by just a single point matchday one and none of the games have been one-sided.

On top of the advances being made in Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and Japan, the new condensed tournament format also seems condusive to more competitive rugby.

Apart from the first weekend, the entire tournament is being hosted by the Fiji Rugby Union, meaning that matches can be played every four days. This, in turn, allows the Pacific Island teams in particular greater access to their overseas-based players.

The likes of Seilala Mapusua, Alesana and Henry Tuilagi, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Gavin Williams, George Stowers and Census Johnston bring Samoa's squad up to Rugby World Cup standards and the same can be said of Fiji and Tonga, who between them boast the likes of Semisi Naevo, Nili Latu, Hale T Pole and Sililo Martens.

“You only need to look at the team lists to see the standard and calibre of players that the teams have been able to assemble, and that's being reflected not only in the scorelines, but also in the standard of rugby being played, which is certainly being appreciated by the Fijian rugby public,” said Will Glenwright, IRB General Manager for Oceania.

Upcoming Fixtures:
Saturday, June 27: Tonga v Japan in Lautoka
Saturday, June 27: Samoa v Fiji in Lautoka
Thursday, July 2: Tonga v Junior All Blacks in Suva
Friday, July 3: Fiji v Japan in Suva

PNC Standings:
Junior ABs 14
Samoa 11
Fiji 5
Tonga 0
Japan 0

With thanks to the IRB