Is the Pacific Nations Cup still worth it for Fiji and Japan?

Opinion - Is the Pacific Nations Cup still relevant for Fiji and Japan rugby?

As the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) draws to a close this weekend, questions are being asked about whether the competition remains relevant for the two Tier 1 nations.

Is the PNC beneficial to Fiji and Japan? Does the competition any advantages in their efforts to compete against the best teams in the world?

Both are ranked higher in the World Rugby rankings - 9th and 13th - than all their PNC opponents. They will line-up against each other, again, for the second consecutive year to contest the final.

This time they will meet at the America First Field in Salt Lake City, a place where rugby union is significantly less popular than American Football and basketball.

With World Rugby setting aside hundreds of thousands of dollars to go into American rugby expansion and development over the next 10 years, many critics are asking if the governing body can also consider the same for island unions.

The tier 2 and 3 teams struggle to make it into big time rugby.

In-between the years, teams like the Maori XV or Junior All Blacks were added to spice up the PNC competition, which started as a Pacific Island contest between Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, but has grown to include Japan, Canada the United States.

There is no doubt the Flying Fijians and the Brave Blossoms are way above the rest of the pack right now. One only has to review the results and performances over the last two years.

Even without their top players in Europe, the Fijians have dominated against both Samoa and Tonga, plus proven tough for Canada and the USA.

Japan, on the other hand, went through Pool B this year dishing out scorelines one would expect in a mismatch of Tier 1 and Tier 3 teams.

With the lure of being included in the new Rugby Championship, questions are being asked on whether the teams' continued inclusion in the PNC is beneficial to them or not.

Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has said the Fijians feel they are duty-bound to be playing against their fellow island teams - the experience is expected to help the rest of the pack improve and get better.

Japanese head coach Eddie Jones has also hinted that the PNC is a competition that brings together a brand of rugby that is not seen in any other around the globe - flair and physicality combined.

He believes it helps teams to master their own styles, moving into tougher tests against the Tier 1 teams.

This weekend will hopefully provide some answers to questions being asked.

Fiji v Japan

Both teams have named their best lineups available, with the Flying Fijians management breathing a sigh of relief as veteran prop Mesake Doge was cleared to play, following a controversial red card upgrade last weekend.

Doge has been named in the starting lineup straight away, returning to pair Europe based Eroni Mawi and captain Tevita Ikanivere upfront.

Coach Byrne has been using the PNC to test some of his new players.

One of them is sevens star Joji Nasova, who made his national team debut with the Flying Fijians against Canada and scored a try in the process.

Nasova has not played provincial rugby, only coming through the sevens series for Fiji, with a Fijian Drua contract in place for 2026.

Japan, on the other hand, have also been testing players out, as coach Jones works on getting them ready for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Last weekend, the Japanese turned the magic on in the second half against Tonga and won 62-24 in the end.

Their precision and pace is what has made them a stronger team than in 2024.

Whether they can keep that up against a Fijian side known as being unpredictable on the field, is going to be exciting to watch.

Kick-off: 1.35pm, Sunday, 21 September

Flying Fijians: 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (captain), 3 Mesake Doge, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 6 Etonia Waqa, 7 Elia Canakaivata, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 10 Caleb Muntz, 11 Taniela Rakuro, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 13 Kalaveti Ravouvou; 14. Joji Nasova; 15 Ponipate Loganimasi; Bench: 16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Isoa Nasilasila, 20 Kitione Salawa, 21 Sam Wye, 22 Kemu Valetini, 23 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.

Tonga v Canada

The 'Ikale Tahi start as favourites against Canada in the third place play-off.

Tonga defeated the Canadians in two test matches in Nuku'alofa in 2023.

But Tongan head coach Tevita Tuifu'a knows things can change quickly and the Canadians, who lost to Fiji last weekend, will be tougher and stronger this time around.

"They have improved alot and they will be tough," the former 'Ikale Tahi captain said.

"For us getting to play again this weekend is great because we also have some players that we want to try out.

"We started well against Japan in the first half but faltered in the second half and that is something we have worked on, being in the game and finishing off strong."

Their week in Sal Lake City has been an eye-opener for the players, following visits to the Birngham Young University.

The team named to take on Canada has a core group, led by captain Ben Tameifuna and supported by senior players Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Samiuela Moli, Sonatane Takulua, Fetuli Paea and Salesi Piutau.

Playmaker Patrick Pellegrini has continued to improve, stepping up from his season with Moana Pasifika, to directing the team's plays in the PNC.

Kick-off: 10.35am Sunday, 21 September

'Ikale Tahi: 1 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 2 Samiuela Moli, 3 Ben Tameifuna (captain); 4 Veikoso Poloniati, 5 Harison Mataele; 6 Tevita Ahokovi, 7 Tupou Afungia, 8 Siosiua Moala; 9 Sonatane Takulua, 10 Patrick Pellegrini; 11 John Tapueluelu, 12 Fetuli Paea, 13. Salesi Piutau, 14 Nikolai Foliaki; 15 Josiah Unga; Bench: 16 Sosefu Sakalia, 17 Leopino Maupese, 18 Tau Koloamatangi, 19 Tali Finau, 20 Ephraim Tuitupou, 21 Siaosi Nai, 22 Willis Halaholo, 23 James Faiva.

Manu Samoa v Chile

Manu Samoa, the only PNC team yet to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, gets another chance to change that when they meet Chile on Sunday morning.

That will be the first of two matches - the winner after the two games heading to Australia.

The loser gets to the final playoff in November, with the winner of that event becoming the 24th and final team to secure a spot at the 2027 meet.

But the Samoans will miss speedster Tuna Tuitama, who has been suspended for three games following his red card in the game against USA in Denver last weekend.

His absence adds to the earlier suspenion of top flanker Taleni Seu, who was red carded in the game against Fiji in Rotorua three weeks ago.

Captain Michael Aalaalato'a, one of the survivors from the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad, believes the side has the players who can make it happen for them.

In an earlier interview he said they just need to turn up and get the job done.

The last time the two teams met was on 17 September at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Manu Samoa won that game 43-10, with Alaalato'a leadin them as captain.

The team has called on Samoans around the Salt Lake City area to turn up and support them as they fight for their world cup spot.

Veteran flyhalf Christian Leali'ifano joined the squad ahead of last weekend's clash against USA.

Kick-off: 7.35am Sunday, 21 September