Pacific Nations Cup

 

The IRB Pacific Nations Cup is an International round-robin competition comprising the test teams of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Japan.  The Junior All Blacks - who in 2008 were replaced by the New Zealand Maori - and Australia A who participated in 2007 and 2008 have withdrawn from the competition.  

Like the Pacific Rugby Cup, the IRB Pacific Nations Cup is a key component of the IRB’s £48m million Strategic Investment initiative and is designed to provide the Pacific Island Nations and Japan with regular high level competition.

The tournament structure for the 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup has been condensed with the three rounds being played over two weeks with the opening match, Japan v Samoa, being played in Tokyo on 2 July and the remainder of the Tournament being played in Fiji between 2 and 13 July 2011.  The entire Tournament will be played within the IRB's Southern Hemisphere Window enabling Unions to secure the services of their overseas-based players in preparation for RWC 2011.

2006 Champions: Junior All Blacks
2007 Champions: Junior All Blacks
2008 Champions: New Zealand Maori
2009 Champions: Junior All Blacks
2010 Champions: Samoa

 

New Black Ferns coaches announced.

Linda Itunu powers over. photo Zoomfiji

Linda Itunu powers over. photo Zoomfiji

pace to burn for NZ. photo Zoomfiji

pace to burn for NZ. photo Zoomfiji

June 02, 2009 - 2:06pm

Leading Auckland women’s rugby and schoolboys coach Brian Evans has been appointed as the coach of the Black Ferns along with former New Zealand Schools coach Grant Hansen who was named as Assistant Coach.
 
Evans was the coach of the Da La Salle College 1st XV who were the winners of the New Zealand Secondary Schools competition in 2008. A former coach of the Auckland Women’s NPC team, he coached them to an unbeaten championship victory in 2007. Fourteen of the players from that Auckland team then went on to be selected as Black Ferns that year.
 
“It is both an honour and a privilege to have this opportunity to work with the Black Ferns and this is an exciting and challenging time for me,” said Evans.
 
“Women’s rugby in New Zealand is at a very high standard and the professionalism and commitment shown by the players I have worked with in the past is outstanding. I am really looking forward to working with the team this year.”
 
Hansen was the Head Coach of the New Zealand Schools team in 2007 and 2008, and coached Auckland Grammar School’s 1st XV from 1998 to 2005. He is currently Auckland Grammar’s Director of Sport and the co-coach of the Ponsonby Rugby Club’s premier team.
 
Both Evans and Hansen have successfully completed the NZRU/Massey University Rugby Coaching Practicum.
 
The Black Ferns will embark on a three-match tour of England in November as part of their build-up to their defence of the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2010.
 
Black Ferns tour to England match schedule
 
Saturday 14 November v England
Tuesday 17 November v England A
Saturday 21 November v England