The Pacific Nations Cup is an international rugby union competition that features
teams from the Pacific region and North America. As of 2025, it includes six
permanent teams:
Canada
Fiji
Japan
Samoa
Tonga, and
USA
The tournament, first held in 2006, aims to strengthen Tier 2 rugby nations by
providing competitive test matches in a structured format.
Historically, The competition has undergone significant changes in both its structure
and the teams involved over time. It began as the IRB Pacific 5 Nations with Fiji,
Samoa, Tonga, Japan, and the Junior All Blacks, and over the years, teams like
Australia A, the Māori All Blacks, Georgia, Canada, and the USA have joined at
various points. Fiji currently holds the record for the most championships, having
claimed the title six times, with their most recent win occurring in 2024. Samoa has
achieved four titles, while Japan has won three.
In 2024, the tournament adopted a revised structure featuring two groups of three
two pools teams each, leading into a knockout stage that includes semifinals and a
final match. Pool A consisted of Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, while Pool B included
Canada, Japan, and the USA. The 2024 edition, branded as the Asahi Super Dry
Pacific Nations Cup, ran from August 23 to September 21, concluding with Fiji
defeating Japan 41-17 in the final held in Osaka, Japan. Samoa took third place
after beating the USA 18-13.
The tournament’s schedule and locations for 2025 are yet to be fully confirmed.