2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup Explained

2015 IRB Pacific Nations Cup
Countries:




Tournament Format:Round-robin
Date:18 July - 3 August 2015
Teams:6
Matches:12
Attendance:70785
Tries:53
Top Point Scorer: Kurt Morath (49)
Top Try Scorer: Leone Nakarawa (4)
Sonatane Takulua (4)
Fetuʻu Vainikolo (4)
Count:2
Website:World Rugby
Previous Year:2014
Previous Tournament:2014 IRB Pacific Nations Cup
Next Year:2016
Next Tournament:2016 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup

The 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup was the tenth edition of the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup (formerly known as the IRB Pacific Nations Cup), an annual international rugby union tournament. The 2015 title was contested between the Tier 2 nations of Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the United States.

Due to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the tournament took place in July and August with all teams having access to overseas players. Like the 2014 IRB Pacific Nations Cup, the six teams were divided into two pools, but instead of playing each team from the same pool like in 2014, each team played the three teams from the opposing pool. Following the three rounds of cross pool matches, the six teams were seeded one through to six and played in three final play-offs to determine who finishes first to sixth. The final was contested between Fiji and Samoa, who had previously drawn 30–30 during the Cross-pool matches. Fiji won the final 39–29, scoring 6 tries to claim their second title.

Venues

Five venues will be used:

VenueCityCapacityRound
align=left 15,000 Round 1
align=left 18,000 Round 1
align=left 30,000 Round 3
align=left 8,000 Round 2
align=left 5,288 Round 2 & Finals

Final positioning

Pos.PoolTeamPlayedWonDrawnLostPFPAPDTFTA
PosTeam P W D L PF PA PD TF TA-->
124 3 1 0 126 103 +23 16 12
214 2 1 1 101 105 -4 11 13
314 3 0 1 114 87 +27 12 8
414 1 0 3 80 87 -7 6 7
524 2 0 2 73 85 -12 4 8
624 0 0 4 57 84 -27 5 6

Table

TeamPlayedWonDrawnLostPFPAPDTFTATry BonusLosing BonusPoints
Overall Standings<--PosTeam P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts-->
1 (10) 3 2 1 0 87 74 +13 10 9 1 0 11
2 (9) 3 2 1 0 72 66 +6 8 7 1 0 11
3 (12) 3 2 0 1 83 67 +16 9 7 0 0 8
4 (13) 3 1 0 2 60 56 +4 5 4 0 2 6
5 (16) 3 1 0 2 58 72 -14 4 7 0 1 5
6 (17) 3 0 0 3 44 69 -25 4 6 0 1 1
Pool 1 Standings<--PosTeam P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts-->
13 2 1 0 72 66 +6 8 7 1 0 11
23 2 0 1 83 67 +16 9 7 0 0 8
33 1 0 2 60 56 +4 5 4 0 2 6
Pool 2 Standings<--PosTeam P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts-->
13 2 1 0 87 74 +13 10 9 1 0 11
23 1 0 2 58 72 -14 4 7 0 1 5
33 0 0 3 44 69 -25 4 6 0 1 1
Points breakdown:
*4 points for a win
*2 points for a draw
*1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less
*1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match
Pre-tournament rankings are in parentheses.

Fixtures

The full match schedule was announced on 19 February 2015.[1]

Cross-pool matches

Round 1

FB 15Kini Murimurivalu
RW 14Waisea Nayacalevu
OC 13Vereniki Goneva (c)
IC 12Levani Botia
LW 11Asaeli Tikoirotuma
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7 Malakai Ravulo
BF 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu
RL 5 Leone Nakarawa
LL 4
TP 3 Manasa Saulo
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18Taniela Koroi
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
FB 23Metuisela Talebula
Coach:
John McKee
FB 15Vunga Lilo
RW 14Telusa Veainu
OC 13
IC 12Sione Piukala
LW 11Fetuʻu Vainikolo
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8 Viliami Maʻafu
OF 7 Nili Latu (c)
BF 6
RL 5 Tukulua Lokotui
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2 Elvis Taione
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16Sosefo Sakalia
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
Mana Otai
Man of the Match:
Levani Botia (Fiji)

Touch judges:
Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

Notes:

----

FB 15
RW 14Jeff Hassler
OC 13Ciaran Hearn
IC 12Connor Braid
LW 11
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8 Tyler Ardron (c)
OF 7 Richard Thorpe
BF 6
RL 5
LL 4 Brett Beukeboom
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
Kieran Crowley
FB 15Ayumu Goromaru (c)
RW 14
OC 13Kotaro Matsushima
IC 12
LW 11
FH 10
SH 9 Atsushi Hiwasa
N8 8 Hayden Hopgood
OF 7
BF 6 Justin Ives
RL 5 Luke Thompson
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
PR 16
HK 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20Tsuyoshi Murata
SH 21Keisuke Uchida
WG 22
CE 23
Coach:
Eddie Jones
Man of the Match:
Ayumu Goromaru (Japan)

Touch judges:
Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Nick Ricono (United States)

Notes:

----

FB 15Chris Wyles (c)
RW 14
OC 13Seamus Kelly
IC 12
LW 11Blaine Scully
FH 10AJ MacGinty
SH 9
N8 8 Danny Barrett
OF 7 John Quill
BF 6 Cam Dolan
RL 5
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1 Eric Fry
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17Chris Baumann
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
WG 23
Coach:
Mike Tolkin
FB 15
RW 14Sinoti Sinoti
OC 13Paul Perez
IC 12
LW 11Alesana Tuilagi (c)
FH 10Patrick Fa'apale
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7
BF 6 TJ Ioane
RL 5 Faatiga Lemalu
LL 4
TP 3 Anthony Perenise
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18Jake Grey
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
FB 23
Coach:
Stephen Betham
Man of the Match:
TJ Ioane (Samoa)

Touch judges:
Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Andrew McMaster (Canada)

Notes:

Round 2

FB 15
RW 14Waisea Nayacalevu
OC 13Vereniki Goneva
IC 12Gabiriele Lovobalavu
LW 11
FH 10Ben Volavola
SH 9
N8 8 Sakiusa Matadigo
OF 7 Akapusi Qera (c)
BF 6
RL 5 Leone Nakarawa
LL 4 Api Ratuniyarawa
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
John McKee
FB 15
RW 14Alofa Alofa
OC 13Paul Perez
IC 12Johnny Leota
LW 11Alesana Tuilagi (c)
FH 10
SH 9 Pele Cowley
N8 8
OF 7 Jack Lam
BF 6 TJ Ioane
RL 5
LL 4 Filo Paulo
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21Vavao Afemai
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
Stephen Betham
Man of the Match:
Leone Nakarawa (Fiji)

Touch judges:
Luke Pearce (England)
Andrew McMaster (Canada)

Notes:

----

FB 15
RW 14Jeff Hassler
OC 13
IC 12Connor Braid
LW 11D. T. H. van der Merwe
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8 Tyler Ardron (c)
OF 7
BF 6 Richard Thorpe
RL 5 Brett Beukeboom
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
FL 19
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
Kieran Crowley
FB 15Vunga Lilo
RW 14
OC 13Sione Piukala
IC 12Viliami Tahituʻa
LW 11
FH 10
SH 9 Sonatane Takulua
N8 8
OF 7 Nili Latu (c)
BF 6 Hale T-Pole
RL 5
LL 4 Steve Mafi
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21Sosefo Maʻake
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
Mana Otai
Man of the Match:
Sonatane Takulua (Tonga)

Touch judges:
Kurt Weaver (United States)
Brian Zapp (United States)

Notes:

----

FB 15Chris Wyles (c)
RW 14Blaine Scully
OC 13Seamus Kelly
IC 12
LW 11
FH 10AJ MacGinty
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7 Andrew Durutalo
BF 6 Scott LaValla
RL 5 Cam Dolan
LL 4
TP 3 Titi Lamositele
HK 2
LP 1 Eric Fry
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17Nicholas Wallace
PR 18Chris Baumann
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
WG 23
Coach:
Mike Tolkin
FB 15Yoshikazu Fujita
RW 14Karne Hesketh
OC 13Kotaro Matsushima
IC 12
LW 11
FH 10Harumichi Tatekawa
SH 9
N8 8 Koliniasi Holani
OF 7
BF 6 Justin Ives
RL 5 Luke Thompson
LL 4
TP 3 Kensuke Hatakeyama (c)
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
PR 16
HK 17
PR 18
LK 19Kazuhiko Usami
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
CE 23Tim Bennetts
Coach:
Eddie Jones
Man of the Match:
AJ MacGinty (United States)

Touch judges:
JP Doyle (England)
Andrew McMaster (Canada)

Notes:

Round 3

FB 15Troy Hall
RW 14Brett Thompson
OC 13
IC 12Andrew Suniula
LW 11Zack Test
FH 10
SH 9 Shalom Suniula
N8 8 Alastair McFarland
OF 7 Scott LaValla
BF 6
RL 5 Greg Peterson
LL 4
TP 3 Chris Baumann
HK 2 Phil Thiel (c)
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
WG 23Tim Stanfill
Coach:
Mike Tolkin
FB 15Otulea Katoa
RW 14
OC 13Sione Piukala
IC 12
LW 11Fetuʻu Vainikolo
FH 10Kurt Morath
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7 Jack Ram
BF 6 Steve Mafi (c)
RL 5 Joe Tuineau
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
FB 23
Coach:
Mana Otai
Man of the Match:
Fetuʻu Vainikolo (Tonga)

Touch judges:
JP Doyle (England)
Andrew McMaster (Canada)

Notes:

----

FB 15
RW 14Metuisela Talebula
OC 13Vereniki Goneva
IC 12Levani Botia
LW 11Napolioni Nalaga
FH 10Josh Matavesi
SH 9
N8 8 Akapusi Qera (c)
OF 7
BF 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu
RL 5
LL 4 Tevita Cavubati
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19Nemia Soqeta
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
WG 23Waisea Nayacalevu
Coach:
John McKee
FB 15Ayumu Goromaru
RW 14Akihito Yamada
OC 13Kotaro Matsushima
IC 12
LW 11
FH 10
SH 9 Fumiaki Tanaka
N8 8 Hendrik Tui
OF 7 Michael Leitch (c)
BF 6
RL 5
LL 4 Luke Thompson
TP 3
HK 2 Shota Horie
LP 1
Replacements:
PR 16
HK 17Hiroki Yuhara
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21Atsushi Hiwasa
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
Eddie Jones
Man of the Match:
Josh Matavesi (Fiji)

Touch judges:
Angus Gardner (Australia)
Dudley Phillips (Ireland)

----
FB 15James Pritchard
RW 14Phil Mackenzie
OC 13Conor Trainor
IC 12Nick Blevins
LW 11
FH 10Nathan Hirayama
SH 9
N8 8 Tyler Ardron (c)
OF 7 John Moonlight
BF 6
RL 5 Evan Olmstead
LL 4 Tyler Hotson
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
FL 19
FL 20
N8 21
SH 22
FH 23
Coach:
Kieran Crowley
FB 15
RW 14Sinoti Sinoti
OC 13
IC 12Faialaga Afamasaga
LW 11Alesana Tuilagi (c)
FH 10Michael Stanley
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7 TJ Ioane
BF 6 Faifili Levave
RL 5
LL 4 Filo Paulo
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
Stephen Betham
Man of the Match:
Phil Mack (Canada)

Touch judges:
Luke Pearce (England)
Dudley Phillips (Ireland)

Notes:

Finals

3rd Place play-off

FB 15Vunga Lilo
RW 14Otulea Katoa
OC 13Sione Piukala
IC 12Viliami Tahituʻa
LW 11Fetuʻu Vainikolo
FH 10Kurt Morath
SH 9 Sonatane Takulua
N8 8 Hale T-Pole
OF 7 Nili Latu (c)
BF 6 Jack Ram
RL 5 Uili Koloʻofai
LL 4 Tukulua Lokotui
TP 3
HK 2 Elvis Taione
LP 1 Tevita Mailau
Replacements:
HK 16Kalafi Pongi
PR 17Soane Tongaʻuiha
PR 18
LK 19Sosefo Sakalia
FL 20Viliami Fihaki
SH 21Wayne Ngaluafe
FH 22Martin Naufahu
CE 23Latiume Fosita
Coach:
Mana Otai
FB 15Ayumu Goromaru
RW 14Karne Hesketh
OC 13Kotaro Matsushima
IC 12Harumichi Tatekawa
LW 11
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8 Koliniasi Holani
OF 7
BF 6 Michael Leitch (c)
RL 5
LL 4 Shoji Ito
TP 3
HK 2 Shota Horie
LP 1
Replacements:
PR 16
HK 17Hiroki Yuhara
PR 18
N8 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
CE 23
Coach:
Eddie Jones
Man of the Match:
Sonatane Takulua (Tonga)

Touch judges:
Dudley Phillips (Ireland)
Harry Mason (Canada)
Television match official:
USA Appt. (United States)

5th Place play-off

FB 15Chris Wyles (c)
RW 14Brett Thompson
OC 13Folau Niua
IC 12
LW 11Zack Test
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7
BF 6 Scott LaValla
RL 5
LL 4
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1 Eric Fry
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17Matekitonga Moeakiola
PR 18
N8 19
FL 20
FL 21
FH 22
CE 23
Coach:
Mike Tolkin
FB 15Harry Jones
RW 14Jeff Hassler
OC 13Ciaran Hearn
IC 12
LW 11
FH 10Liam Underwood
SH 9
N8 8
OF 7
BF 6 Kyle Gilmour
RL 5
LL 4 Jon Phelan
TP 3
HK 2 Aaron Carpenter (c)
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
FL 19
FL 20
SH 21
CE 22
FB 23
Coach:
Kieran Crowley
Man of the Match:
Jeff Hassler (Canada)

Touch judges:
Dudley Phillips (Ireland)
Harry Mason (Canada)
Television match official:
USA Appt. (United States)

Notes:

1st Place play-off

FB 15Kini Murimurivalu
RW 14Metuisela Talebula
OC 13Waisea Nayacalevu
IC 12
LW 11Asaeli Tikoirotuma
FH 10
SH 9 Nikola Matawalu
N8 8 Sakiusa Matadigo
OF 7 Akapusi Qera (c)
BF 6
RL 5 Leone Nakarawa
LL 4
TP 3 Manasa Saulo
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18Isei Colati
LK 19
FL 20
SH 21Nemia Kenatale
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
John McKee
FB 15
RW 14Fa'atoina Autagavaia
OC 13Johnny Leota
IC 12Faialaga Afamasaga
LW 11Alesana Tuilagi (c)
FH 10
SH 9
N8 8 Sanele Vavae Tuilagi
OF 7
BF 6 Faifili Levave
RL 5
LL 4 Joe Tekori
TP 3
HK 2
LP 1
Replacements:
HK 16
PR 17
PR 18
LK 19
N8 20
SH 21
FH 22
WG 23
Coach:
Stephen Betham
Man of the Match:
Nikola Matawalu (Fiji)

Touch judges:
Alexandre Ruiz (France)
Kurt Weaver (United States)
Television match official:
USA Appt. (United States)

Statistics

Points scorers

PosNameTeamPts
1Kurt Morath49
2AJ MacGinty44
3Ayumu Goromaru42
4Michael Stanley32
Ben Volavola
6Josh Matavesi24
7Leone Nakarawa20
Sonatane Takulua
Fetuʻu Vainikolo
10Andrew Durutalo15
11Patrick Fa'apale14
12Gordon McRorie11
Liam Underwood
14Fa'atoina Autagavaia10
Nick Blevins
Aaron Carpenter
Anthony Perenise
Paul Perez
James Pritchard
Metuisela Talebula
Hendrik Tui
Telusa Veainu
Akihito Yamada
24Folau Niua9
25Harumichi Tatekawa8
26Halani Aulika5
Tevita Cavubati
Yoshikazu Fujita
Koliniasi Holani
TJ Ioane
Otulea Katoa
Jack Lam
Titi Lamositele
Gabiriele Lovobalavu
Vunga Lilo
Phil Mackenzie
Nikola Matawalu
Kini Murimurivalu
Waisea Nayacalevu
Akapusi Qera
Peni Ravai
Henry Seniloli
Sakaria Taulafo
Ahsee Tuala
Alesana Tuilagi

Try scorers

PosNameTeamTries
1Leone Nakarawa4
Sonatane Takulua
Fetuʻu Vainikolo
4Andrew Durutalo3
5Fa'atoina Autagavaia2
Nick Blevins
Aaron Carpenter
Anthony Perenise
Paul Perez
Metuisela Talebula
Hendrik Tui
Telusa Veainu
Akihito Yamada
14Halani Aulika1
Tevita Cavubati
Yoshikazu Fujita
Koliniasi Holani
TJ Ioane
Otulea Katoa
Jack Lam
Titi Lamositele
Gabiriele Lovobalavu
Phil Mackenzie
Nikola Matawalu
Kini Murimurivalu
Josh Matavesi
Waisea Nayacalevu
Akapusi Qera
Peni Ravai
Henry Seniloli
Sakaria Taulafo
Ahsee Tuala
Alesana Tuilagi

Squads

NationHead coach Captain
Kieran CrowleyTyler Ardron
John McKeeAkapusi Qera
Eddie JonesAyumu Goromaru
Stephen BethamAlesana Tuilagi
Mana OtaiNili Latu
Mike TolkinChris Wyles

Note: Number of caps and players' ages are indicated as of 18 July 2015 – the tournament's opening day, pre first tournament match.

Canada

Canada's 36-man squad for the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.[2]

Phil Mack, John Moonlight and Nathan Hirayama were late additions to the squad.

Harry Jones and Conor Trainor were added to the squad ahead of the Samoan match.

Nanyak Dala and Jake Ilnicki were added to the squad ahead of the United States final match.

Fiji

On 12 July 2015, Head Coach John McKee announced a 31-man squad for the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.[3] * denotes non-traveling reserves.

Japan

On 29 June 2015, Jones named a 37-man squad for the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.[4]

Samoa

Samoa 30-man squad for the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.

Jack Lam was a late call up to the squad.

Tonga

On the 22 June, head coach Mana Otai announced their 31-man squad for the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup in Fiji and Canada. Five debutantes join a squad that draws on the experience of 2014's European Test squad, with familiar faces like Nili Latu returning to continue his string leadership role within the team.[5]

Wayne Ngaluafe and Viliami Tahituʻa were called up for the Canada test.

Jack Ram was called up ahead of the USA test.

United States

United States 32-man squad for the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.[6]

Inaki Basauri, John Cullen, Tom Coolican, Lemoto Filikitonga, Ben Landry, Chad London, Samu Manoa, Tim Maupin, Ronnie McLean, Louis Mulholland, Zachary Pangelinan, Robbie Shaw, Mike Shepherd, Tim Stanfill, Kyle Sumsion, Matt Trouville, Tai Tuisamoa and Nicholas Wallace were all in the 2015 Rugby World Cup training squad, but was not selected for the final PNC squad.

Tim Stanfill and Nicholas Wallace were added to the main squad ahead of the round 3 clash with Tonga.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pacific Nations Cup 2015 fixtures announced. worldrugby.org. worldrugby.org. 14 September 2017.
  2. Web site: Rugby Canada (Design, Hosting, Registration & Administration tools by esportsdeskpro.com). www.rugbycanada.ca. 14 September 2017.
  3. Web site: Fiji Rugby Union » “McKee names a strong squad for the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup”. www.fijirugby.com. 14 September 2017.
  4. http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/326-jones-names-squad-for-pnc Jones names squad for PNC
  5. Web site: Tonga Rugby Union names ‘Ikale Tahi Squad for 2015 Pacific Nations Cup - Ikale Tahi – Tonga Rugby Union. https://archive.today/20150918212641/http://www.tongarugbyunion.org/tonga-rugby-union-names-ikale-tahi-squad-for-2015-pacific-nations-cup/. dead. 18 September 2015. www.tongarugbyunion.org. www.tongarugbyunion.org. 14 September 2017.
  6. Web site: Eagles announced for Pacific Nations Cup. usarugby.org. 14 September 2017.