Samoa to Host World Rugby Pacific Challenge in May

(30/03/23)  World Rugby has confirmed that Samoa will host the Pacific Challenge in May.

Fiji has hosted the last six consecutive editions (2015-20) since the World Rugby-funded event was rebranded as the Pacific Challenge.

The tournament, which will take place in Apia from 3 to 13 May 2023, will be played across three match days in a round-robin format with each team - Manuma Samoa, Fiji Warriors, Tonga A and Junior Japan - playing three matches.

The Pacific Challenge 2023 champions will be the team who records the maximum number of competition points across the tournament.

Samoa in action against New Zealand during the HK7s 2018. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

The four teams involved will be formed from the best locally-based players, with most promised of a bright future with their senior national team.

Each team’s squad of 28 players must consist of 23 players that are 23 years of age and under as of 3 May 2023, while the remaining five players can be any age over 18. The tournament will allow future stars of the game in the region to develop their skills in a competitive environment against cross-border opposition.

Competition should be fierce at Apia Park between defending champions Junior Japan, Fiji Warriors and their record nine titles in the competition, Tonga A and Manuma Samoa looking for a third crown on home soil.

Samoa are looking forward to hosting the competing teams and their first international World Rugby tournament in 13 years, the last having been the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup in Apia in 2010.

This year also marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between Samoa and Japan and their two senior teams will meet on 28 September at Rugby World Cup 2023 in France later this year.

World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2023

Wednesday, 3 May
Junior Japan v Fiji Warriors
Manuma Samoa v Tonga A

Monday, 8 May
Tonga A v Junior Japan
Manuma Samoa v Fiji Warriors

Saturday, 13 May
Fiji Warriors v Tonga A
Manuma Samoa v Junior Japan

Kick off times are yet to be confirmed.

“We are excited to be hosting this event in Samoa after the last three years of the pandemic but also a start on what is an exciting year for rugby in our region heading towards Rugby World Cup in France,” said Lakapi Samoa CEO, Faleomavaega Vincent. “We are grateful to World Rugby for bringing the games to Samoa and we look forward to hosting our friends from Japan, Tonga and Fiji.”

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