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Blacks - who in 2008 were replaced by the New Zealand Maori - and Australia A who participated in 2007 and 2008 have withdrawn from the competition.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

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Jnr AB's named to face Japan.

Jnr AB's named to face Japan.

Tamati Ellison scores. photo Lucy Eden

Victor Vito carves teritory. photo Zoomfiji

Sione Lauaki starts at #8. photo Zoomfiji

June 21, 2009 - 5:48pm

Junior All Blacks coaches Ian Foster and Colin Cooper have named their side to play Japan in their third ANZ Pacific Nations Cup match in Lautoka on Tuesday 24 June at 3.10pm (local time and New Zealand time).

1.    Jacob Ellison
2.    Hikawera Elliot
3.    John Schwalger
4.    Craig Clarke
5.    Tom Donnelly
6.    Victor Vito
7.    Alando Soakai
8.    Sione Lauaki
9.    Sean Romans
10. Colin Slade
11. Hosea Gear
12. Callum Bruce
13. Tamati Ellison (captain)
14. Robert Fruean
15. Israel Dagg

Reserves
16. Ben Franks
17. Jamie Mackintosh
18. Jason Eaton
19. Karl Lowe
20. Alby Mathewson
21. Stephen Brett
22. Anthony Tuitavake

The Junior All Blacks played their second IRB Pacific Nations Cup match against Fiji on Thursday which they won 45-17.

Southland’s Jamie Mackintosh and Wellington’s Alby Mathewson, who have both rejoined the squad in Fiji following injury, have been named on the bench.

Junior All Blacks co-coach Ian Foster said: “We had a good game against Fiji and are keen to keep improving. Our goal as a team is to shift our performance up a notch with every game.

“Japan is a very structured and disciplined side and we saw from their performance against Tonga that they are very capable team,” he said.

The game against Japan will be broadcast live on SKY Sports 1 and the Rugby Channel at 3.10pm on Tuesday 24 June.