IRB Pacific Rugby Cup set for kick off

The IRB Pacific Rugby Cup kicks off on Friday with the two representative sides of both Fiji and Tonga hoping to break Samoa's stranglehold on the competition.

Upolu Samoa's success in lifting the coveted trophy last year followed Savai'i Samoa's victory in the inaugural tournament in 2006, but with the competition fierce and closely fought throughout, hopes are high in Fiji and Tonga that this year's IRB Pacific Rugby Cup could see the silverware heading to a different Pacific island.

Development Role

A key element of the International Rugby Board’s strategic investment programme launched in 2005, the representative tournament is designed to create a more defined and competitive competition pathway for players in the Pacific Islands, bridging the gap between club rugby and the Test arena.

“Coupled with the excellent work of the High Performance Units established in each of the Islands, the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup has grown to become a pivotal platform for national squad selection,” said the IRB’s General Manager for the Pacific Islands, Will Glenwright.

“Indeed this year 48 locally-based players progressed through the tournament to represent their country at Test level in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup with several advancing to make their mark at Rugby World Cup.”

Next Generation of RWC stars

Fiji head coach Ilivasi Tabua, who guided Fiji to the quarter-finals of a Rugby World Cup for the first time since 1987, is in no doubt that the competitiveness of the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup is key to nurturing the talent of future Test stars.

“The 2007 IRB Pacific Rugby Cup really helped blood our local players who had little or no previous exposure at Test level. Many of these players took a step up and made the Fiji Test side in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup, and some went all the way and did their country proud at the Rugby World Cup.

“There’s a whole queue of top provincial players in Fiji waiting their turn to give it a go for their country. The IRB Pacific Rugby Cup provides this pathway. Come Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand I expect that a large percentage of the squad will have honed their skills in the tournament.” 

This year's tournament looks set to launch the playing careers of a whole host of exciting locally based athletes, and with the IRB Pacific Nations Cup just around the corner, the players will be keen to put down a sizeable marker to their respective national coaches.

The round one action begins on Friday when 2006 runners up Fiji Warriors host Tongan side Tautahi Gold at Churchill Park in Lautoka and inaugural champions Savai’i Samoa entertain Fiji Barbarians in Apia. The final game of the opening weekend is a repeat of the 2007 final, which Upolu Samoa won 35-15 against the Tau’uta Reds of Tonga at the Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa.

Four further rounds will follow on consecutive weekends before the top two ranked teams contest the 2008 IRB Pacific Rugby Cup final on May 24.

Round One preview

Fiji Warriors v Tautahi Gold
Kick off 19:00 local time on Friday 18 April at Churchill Park, Lautoka.

Tautahi Gold coach Liueli Fuismalohi has named a largely youthful team with Tonga international scrum half Soane Havea one of a handful of experienced players named in the squad to face 2006 runners up Fiji Warriors at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

Havea featured twice for Tonga at Rugby World Cup 2007 in France, playing against the USA Eagles and South Africa, while the likes of captain Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa, Isileli Tupou and Setaleki Lu’au were members of Tonga’s squad in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup last year.

The Warriors also have a few members of the Fijian squad which reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 20 years in fly half Waisea Luveniyali, prop Alefoso Yalayalatabua and flanker Aca Ratuva, while Rupeni Nasiga played in the opening two events of the IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai and George last December.

Fiji Warriors: 1. Alefoso Yalayalatabua 2. Vereniki Sauturaga 3 Viliame Seuseu 4. Samuela Anise 5. Mosese Vasuitoga Matadigo 6. Rupeni Nasiga 7. Aca Ratuva 8. Sakiusa 9. Aporosa Vata (Captain) 10 Waisea Luveniyali 11. Patrick Osborne 12. Vuniyani Ratu 13. Saula Radidi 14. Timoci Nagusa 15. Iliesa Keresoni.

Replacements: 16. Viliame Veikoso 17. Isireli Temo 18. Sikeli Donu 19. Wate Vocevoce 20. Waisale Vatuvoka 21. Jonetani Ralulu 22. Taniela Rawaqa.

Tautahi Gold: 1. Viliami Kupu 2. Va’inga Fangupo 3. Soane Ledger 4. Samiu Ika 5. Petelo Pifeleti 6. ‘Atunaisa Faka’osi 7. Lisala Uasi 8. ‘Aleki Taka 9. Soane Havea 10. Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa (Captain) 11. Vea Paunga 12. ‘Isileli M. Tupou 13. Heimuli Pangai 14. Samisoni Pone 15. Setaleki Lu’au.

Replacements: 16. Feki Moala 17. Sione Maama 18. Sione N Tonga 19. Tevita Ula 20. Leakona Tovi  21. Semisi Motu’apuaka 22. Peni Tokotaha.

Savai’i Samoa v Fiji Barbarians
Kick off 16:00 local time on Friday 18 April at Marist Stadium, Apia.

Fiji Barbarians head coach Eddie Waqa has selected a side full of pace in an attempt to thwart what he believes will be a forward-oriented Savai’i Samoa outfit that lines up against them at the Marist Stadium in Apia on Friday.
 
Sprinters Vima Tuidraki and Alusio Buto have both been selected on the wing in a bid to get the Barbarians’ IRB Pacific Rugby Cup campaign off to a flying start against the former champions.
 
“It will be a traditional physical battle,” admitted Waqa. “There is great rivalry among the teams in the Pacific region. The Samoans are renowned for their big hits. I’m expecting our boys to lift themselves and give it their hundred per cent.”

Savai’i Samoa:
Forwards: Lafoga Aoelua, Loleni Tafunai, Viliamu Viliamu, Hore Tea, Poutoa Iosi, See Lepa, Steve Faatau, Tua Ale, Rudy Leavasa, Egelani Fale, Luti Pese, Lale Latu, Wally Esau, Keneti Tofilau, Joe Taina, Ulia Ulia, Robert Ah Kuoi, Avaelalo Tito, Solomona Aimaasu, Maugaloto Palu, Ponifasio Vasa, Alafoti Faosiliva, Tele Ese, Fisoa Faaiu.

Backs: Alatasi Tupou, Ese Fale, Gafa Siona, Ki Anufe, Afa Lesa, Mark Tanuvasa, Silaumua Potifele, Fale Afamasaga, Reupena Lavasa, Junior Leota, Chris Lei Sam, Aifou Faamausili, Tom Iosefa, Anekosi Faamoe, Fanuafou Tofi, Sitiveni Leleimalefaga

Fiji Barbarians:
Forwards: Sikeli Gavidi, Sakeo Latianara, Warua Aritema, Setefano Somoca, Aseri Buli, Esaroma Cakacaka, Mosese Fatiaki, Filipe Kuruvoli, Joeli Lutumailagi, Samu Bola, Mitieli Cama, Ameniasi Nava, Kolinio Vasuilagi, Josefa Nagatalevu.

Backs: Kelemedi Bola, Nemia Kenatale, Amani Bosenawai, Ravai Fatiaki, Tikiko Uluiviti, Timoci Mule, Masi Naoma, Ropate Ratu, Alosio Buto, Vima Tuidraki, Apisalome Waqatabu, Simeli Koniferedi.

Tau’uta Reds v Upolu Samoa
Kick off 15:00 local time on Saturday 19 April at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa.

The final match of the opening weekend is a repeat of the 2007 final when Upolu Samoa ensured the trophy stayed on Samoan soil with a 35-15 defeat of the table-topping Tau’uta Reds in the final at Teufaiva Stadium in the capital Nuku’alofa.

Tau’uta Reds will be hoping to avenge that defeat and repeat the 31-30 victory they enjoyed over Upolu Samoa in the third match of the round robin stages in Apia last April.

The Reds, boosted by a sprinkling of Rugby World Cup stars including Enele Taufa, will also be looking to use the national team’s performances in France as an inspiration for their 2008 IRB Pacific Rugby Cup campaign.

Tau’uta Reds: 1. ‘Otulea Fifita 2. ‘Atelea Hu’akau 3. Siua Halanukonuka 4. Kelepi Halafihi 5. Sione Timani 6. ‘Atunaisa Sikalu 7. Sekona Fonua 8. ‘Afele Tongia (Captain) 9. ‘Enele Taufa 10. Lata’imuli ‘Anitoni 11. Fou-Ki-Moana Katoa 12. Sione Masima 13. ‘Ofa Takai 14. Tupou Palu 15. Mesui Lemoto.

Replacements: 16. ‘Etimoni Poteki/ Poasi Fonua 17. Sateki Mata’u 18. ‘Isileli Fine 19. Saia Taufalele 20. Tavalea Takai 21. Sikalele ‘Ahoafi 22. Salesi Havili

Upolu Samoa:
Forwards: Taligatuli Moala,Paul Lewis, Solomona Tavita, Donald Kerslake, Ferro Faalogo, Esau Hunt, Evile Falefatu, Mulifusi Ulima, Muliufi Salanoa , Andrew Williams, Taleni Toloa, Tui Fitiao, Ola Pipili, Lavatai Toolo, Ken Ulia, Ruperake Petaia, Sikuka Uimaitua, Alapasa Cortz, Musolini Magele, Nissan Faatui, Leilua Fiu, Asiasiga Toalepaialii, Toalima Failaga, Sirovai Sila

Backs: Uale Mai, Notise Tauafao, Mike Gabriel, Roger Warren, Lolo Lui, Samasoni Moala, Gasolo Salima, Tulise Teni, Timoteo Iosua, Tuugasala Sione, Pulemalie Sopo, Joiner Key, Uaealesi Faatauvaa, Mathew Iakopo, Mikaele Pesamino, Taulgai Afamasaga, Suauu Puauli.