Pacific Nations Cup kicks off 100th anniversary of rugby for Fiji, Samoa and Tonga

The 2024 Pacific Nations Cup kicks off in Suva on Friday, with hosts Fiji set to face neighbours Samoa for the 56th time.

But for the Island Rugby Union, which competes in the six-team competition, there’s more to it than just the PNC title they’re chasing – they’re also marking the 100th anniversary of rugby union.

Fiji, Samoa and Tonga played their first rugby Test match in 1924.

Although rugby was first played in Fiji in 1884, international competitions between the three nations did not begin until 1924.

Fiji played two Test matches against Samoa in Apia and won the first before getting their revenge in the second match by defeating the visiting opponents.

Fiji then sailed to Tonga and successfully concluded a nine-match tour against the Kingdom of Tonga with seven wins, one draw and one loss.

Now, a century later, rugby has evolved, most of the rules have changed, players are now either semi-professional or professional, and huge amounts of money are involved.

Both the Samoa and Tonga rugby unions will celebrate their centenary years.

Lakapi Samoa plans a week of celebrations in Apia starting on August 25, culminating on the 30th when Manu Samoa hosts the “Ikale Tahi” event in Apia Park.

Records show that the two teams have played 69 Test matches.

Samoa Rugby Association chief executive Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai told the Samoa Observer that plans had been confirmed.

“We will hold the celebrations on Sunday the 25th. We had hoped to hold it at the Muliwai Cathedral but the cathedral is closed because it is being renovated in preparation for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.

“We originally wanted to hold it at the EFKS Hall because it was the only big venue. However, we have moved it to St. Theresa Catholic Church in Lepea.

“It’s almost the same celebration as the Marist team, but Manu’s games against Samoa and Tonga are within the celebrations this week.”

They will hold a parade on August 27th and all the former rugby players will participate.

Fepelai said about 600 players will take part in the celebration.

On August 28, the union will host the Capping Awards gala at Friendship Park.

“We are restricting all players who play for Manu Samoa,” added Fepulai.

The Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) has its own celebrations planned for the coming week, which will also include a rugby test match between Ikale Tahi and Flying Fijians at Te’ufaiva Stadium in September.

This will be the 95th Test match between the two countries.

Thompson Rivers chief executive Aisea ‘Aholelei said they would celebrate with former players, families and fans.

“We already have plans for this week,” he said.

PNC’s Own History

The Palestinian National Council also has its own history to celebrate.

Since its formation in 2006, Fiji has won the title six times, Manu Samoa four times, while Tonga is still chasing its first title despite finishing runners-up twice in 2011 and 2017.

World Rugby has decided to expand the tournament to six teams this year, with one group consisting of three Pacific Island teams and a second group consisting of Japan, Canada and the United States.

The teams from each group will play in a round-robin format, and then the two groups will play cross-group play-offs.

This ensures more game time for the teams and also gives them a chance to test each other’s rankings.

It also provides an opportunity for teams outside of Fiji and Japan to prepare for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with qualifiers scheduled for 2025.

This week, Fiji hosts Samoa before the Samoans return home to prepare for their match against Tonga next weekend.

In week three, Tonga will host Fiji in Nuku’alofa.

World Rugby said this year’s series marked the beginning of a new era of inter-regional competition.

The World Table Tennis Federation has named Fiji’s Iosefo Masi, Tonga’s Ben Tamefuna and Samoa’s Tuuna Tuitama as players to watch in the Pacific group.

“Fresh off helping Fiji win silver in rugby sevens at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Iosefo Masi is ready to show what he can do in 15-a-side,” World Rugby said.

Masi played all six of Fiji’s matches at the Stade de France last month, having not played sevens for two years, scoring three of those tries and combining with Test teammate Celestino Ravutomada to devastating effect.

“The Fijian Drua star was a gold medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics but he failed to help his country become a three-time Olympic champion as they lost in the gold medal match against the hosts, led by Antoine Dupont. But back on the Test field, Masi is not short of inspiration as he attempts to lead Fiji to a seventh Pacific Nations Cup title.

“The centre-forward made his senior debut against Samoa last July and made two appearances as a substitute during the 2023 World Cup in France.”

In the absence of Josua Tuisova and Waisea Nayacalevu, Masi will play a major role over the next month. He was one of the standout performers in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific, beating more defenders (80) than any other player in the competition.

World Rugby said that the young Samoan player Tuitama has been a shining star of the Samoan sevens team in recent years.

Tuitama made his World Series debut in December 2019, but due to the pandemic, he did not become a regular on the tour until three years later.

Not only will the winger, who has never played for his country, be part of the Samoan team chasing a fifth PNC title, he has also signed with Super Rugby Pacific side Moana Pacifica for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Tongan heavyweight prop Tame Ifuna is arguably the most recognisable face in the Tongan team.

Tameifona, a former New Zealand U20 international, began his career with Chiefs, where he won two Super Rugby titles, before moving to French side Racing 92 in 2015.

He then moved on to the Tonga national team, making his debut against Wales in 2017 and playing in two men’s Rugby World Cups, following in the footsteps of his uncle Sona Tamarolo, who represented Tonga in the finals in 2011 and 2015.

Despite his small stature, Tameifuna is known for his skill with the ball, and his kicking ability is well known. He has been named captain for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

But whatever happens, one thing is for sure, there will be plenty of rugby celebrations as the Pacific Three celebrate 100 years of hosting Test matches.

The teams completed their preparations

Meanwhile, the Flying Fijians entered camp in Suva on Sunday.

They attended a service at Nasese Methodist Church where player Temo Mayana Vanua, who is from Europe, said it was important to seek spiritual guidance first, stressing that it was part of Fijian identity.

“For me personally, spiritual life is the most important,” he said.

“There are three main characteristics of being a Fijian: relationship to the land, relationship to family or matavuvale and relationship to faith. For our team, this is a great start to our activities.”

Head coach Mick Byrne said they were focusing on developing young players while also aiming to win all the Test matches.

With an eye on the 2027 Rugby World Cup, he said it was vital to give young players opportunities now.

He said: “Every Test match we play is an important Test match and our focus is on that, we have to win every Test match.”

“We’re also looking at the future and how we can build this team.

“I know our fans understand what we’re doing, they always support us and we want to show them that on Friday night.”

Manu Samoa have been training in Apia for the past two weeks under head coach Masi Mahonri Schwalger.

The team has faced its fair share of challenges, but the word out of Apia is that they are well prepared for the match against Fiji.

Under Schwalger’s leadership, the team defeated Italy and Spain in test matches last month.

Friday’s match will kick off at 6pm Fiji time.