(Reuters) – World Rugby unveiled its Pacific Nations Cup format on Tuesday, announcing that the revamped six-team tournament would take place over five weekends from Aug. 23 to Sept. 21.
The United States, Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga were confirmed as the six teams, who will be split into two pools of three teams each, the governing body said.
Each team will play at least three matches, with Fiji, Samoa and Tonga making up Pool A, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals, which along with the final, will be held in Japan.
“The six teams taking part in the competition will benefit from long-term certainty around fixtures, allowing them to optimise their preparations and engage with fans and commercial partners,” World Rugby’s High-Performance Pathways and Player Development Manager Simon Raiwalui said.
“With so much talent in the Pacific Islands, Japan and the two North American teams, fans can expect a tough contest and a great spectacle epitomised with epic finals in Japan.”
(Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)
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