2023 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup Explained

2023 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup
Countries:
Date:	22 July – 5 August 2023
Teams:	4
Matches:	6
Top Point Scorer:	Caleb Muntz (22)
Top Try Scorer:	Waisea Nayacalevu Frank Lomani Tevita Ikanivere Amato Fakatava (2)
Count:	6
Website:	World Rugby
Previous Year:	2022
Previous Tournament:	2022 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup
Next Year:	2024
Next Tournament:	2024 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup

The 2023 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup was the sixteenth edition of the Pacific Nations Cup annual international rugby union competition.

Four teams competed, with Fiji, Samoa and Tonga returning, whilst Japan is reinstated for the first time since 2019, as the four nations use the tournament as preparation ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Fiji won the title, their sixth time, and won it for the first time since 2018.

Standings

Rank	Team	Games				Points			Tries		Try Bonus	Losing Bonus	Table Points
		Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against		For	Against
1		3	3	0	0	104	51	+53	14	8	3	0	15
2		3	2	0	1	77	64	+13	10	5	1	0	9
3		3	1	0	2	55	75	–20	6	10	0	1	5
4		3	0	0	3	45	91	–46	5	12	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

Fixtures

Round 1

Notes:

• Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Caleb Muntz, Selestino Ravutaumada, Lekima Tagitagivalu (all Fiji) and Patrick Pellegrini (Tonga) made their international debuts.^[1]

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Notes:

• Amato Fakatava, Shota Fukui, Jone Naikabula, Tomoki Osada (all Japan), So'otala Fa'aso'o, Christian Leali'ifano, Charlie Faumuina, Miracle Faiʻilagi and Martini Talapusi (all Samoa) made their international debuts.^{[2] [3]}
• This was Samoa's first win over Japan since their 27–26 win in 2012.^[4]

Round 2

Notes:

• Sama Malolo and Steve Luatua (both Samoa) and Meli Derenalagi, Ilaisa Droasese Iosefo Masi, Vilive Miramira and Joseva Tamani (all Fiji) made their international debuts.

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Notes:

• Sonatane Takulua (Tonga) became the first Tongan to reach the milestone of 50 test caps.

Round 3

----Notes:

• Kotaro Matsushima (Japan) earned his 50th test cap.
• This was Fiji's first win over Japan in Japan since their 25–19 victory in 2012.

Squads

Nation	Head coach	Captain
	Simon Raiwalui	Waisea Nayacalevu
	Jamie Joseph	Michael Leitch
	Seilala Mapusua	Michael Alaalatoa
	Toutai Kefu	Sonatane Takulua

Fiji

On 27 June, head coach Simon Raiwalui named a 39-player squad for the 2023 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.^[5]

Japan

On 11 June, Japan named an extended 46-player squad ahead of the team's preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Samoa

On 18 June 2023, the following 40 players were called up in preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Tonga

On 14 June, the following 35 players were called up for the July 2023 internationals.^[6]

See also

• 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches

External links

• Pacific Nations Cup web page at World Rugby

Notes and References

1. News: Pacific Nations Cup: Battleground ready for Flying Fijians versus 'Ikale Tahi . Radio New Zealand . 20 July 2023 . 22 July 2023.
2. Brave Blossoms to Face Samoa In Opening Pacific Nations Match . Japan Rugby . 20 July 2023 . 22 July 2023.
3. News: Former Wallaby and All Black set to debut for Manu Samoa against Japan . Planet Rugby . 20 July 2023 . 22 July 2023.
4. News: WATCH: Michael Leitch red-carded for a nasty high tackle in Japan’s loss to Samoa . Planet Rugby . 22 July 2023 . 23 July 2023.
5. https://www.fijirugby.com/raiwalui-names-fiji-water-flying-fijians-extended-squad/ Raiwalui names Fiji Water Flying Fijians extended squad
6. https://www.planetrugby.com/news/two-superstars-make-tonga-switch-ahead-of-rugby-world-cup-warm-ups Two superstars make Tonga switch ahead of Rugby World Cup warm-ups