Pacific Nations Cup

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The Pacific Nations Cup is an international rugby union competition originally known as the IRB Pacific 5 Nations and held between five Pacific rim sides; Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the Junior All Blacks (New Zealand's second XV). Australia was invited to take part but decided against sending a team stating that they wanted to focus on their domestic competition. However, Australia hosted two games in the inaugural tournament, and on 18 October 2006 announced that Australia would send their second XV.^[1] For this reason, the inaugural tournament will be the only one that carried the title of IRB Pacific 5 Nations, from 2007 the competition will be known as the Pacific Nations Cup. The inaugural tournament was won by the Junior All Blacks.

Contents 1 History 2 Format 3 Results 4 Image gallery 5 References 6 See also 7 External links

[edit] History

The Pacific Nations Cup was funded as an International Rugby Board (IRB) tournament as as part of the $US50 million, three-year, global strategic investment programme that was launched in August 2005. The competition was aimed at developing the Pacific rim sides in the second tier of the rugby nations; Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga. The Junior All Blacks were also invited to compete, who are New Zealand's second XV. "The IRB Pacific 5 Nations is a tournament that will provide more certainty for Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga in terms of regular high level Test match rugby, while also providing a high level of competition for the Junior All Blacks," said Mark Egan, the IRB's Head of Rugby Services.^[2]

Australia were also invited to take part but decided against sending a team stating that they wanted to focus on their domestic competition. The inaugural tournament kicked-off June 3, 2006 and were played in a round-robin format, with some games being held in Australia. with the Junior All Blacks proclaimed the winner after their 38-8 defeat of Japan June 24, 2006. The inaugural tournament was a great success in providing a platform for Pacific nations and Japan in gaining valuable exposure. In October 2006 it was announced that Australia A had been officially confirmed as joining an expanded competition for the 2007 season. The inclusion of Australia A means that the tier 2 nations will have an even greater number of matches in the build up to France 2007. For Australia, it provides an important stepping stone for Wallaby selection.

[edit] Format

The tournament is a round-robin, where each team plays one match against each of the other teams. There are four points for a win, two points for a draw and none for a defeat. There are also bonus points offered with one bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match and one bonus point for losing by 7 points or less.

[edit] Results

Further information: 2006 IRB Pacific 5 Nations

Pos	Country	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	BP	Pts
1	Junior All Blacks	4	4	0	0	167	47	+120	4	20
2	Samoa	4	2	0	2	121	88	+33	3	11
3	Fiji	4	2	0	2	92	94	-2	2	10
4	Tonga	4	2	0	2	91	113	-22	1	9
5	Japan	4	0	0	4	48	177	-139	0	0

[edit] Image gallery

Fiji playing the Junior All Blacks in Suva on June 3, 2006

Japan playing Tonga at Honjo stadium on June 4, 2006

Samoa playing the Junior All Blacks at North Harbour Stadium on June 9. 2006

[edit] References

1. ^ Australia A to join Pacific Cup. BBC. Retrieved on 19 October 2006.
2. ^ IRB Pacific 5 Nations takes shape. rugbyrugby.com. Retrieved on 19 October 2006.

[edit] See also

• Pacific Tri-Nations

[edit] External links

• Junior All Blacks and Tonga continue winning ways, IRB official website, 10 June 2006