The World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024 sees the return of the national ‘A’ teams of Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Japan XV as they contest the development rugby competition in Apia, Samoa from 10-20 April 2024.
The Fiji Warriors won the World Rugby Pacific Challenge title in 2023 for the 10th time in their history.
The tournament has been used by the participating nations to help develop talent, and Pacific Islands’ star players earn a spot in the World Rugby Pacific Combine.
World Rugby Chairman, Sir Tootootumua Bill Beaumont said: “We are delighted to organise back-to-back Pacific Challenges in Samoa, a country with such a rich rugby heritage and successful track record of hosting international tournaments.
The 2024 edition promises to be an electrifying showcase of skill, passion, and sportsmanship and I can’t wait to see these emerging players test their mettle against formidable opposition, developing their talent on their way to the highest levels of our game.”
World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024 Format
Samoa is proud to be hosting the World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024 tournament in what is the celebration of Lakapi Samoa’s 100th year.
Chief Executive Officer, Lakapi Samoa, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai said, “This remarkable occasion coincides with the celebration of Lakapi Samoa’s 100 years, a milestone marking a century of dedication, passion, and achievement in our beloved sport.”
The Lakapi Samoa CEO added, “As we prepare to welcome the defending champions, the Fiji Warriors, Japan XV, and Tonga A to Beautiful Samoa, we are honoured to showcase not only the exceptional talent on the field but also the rich cultural heritage and hospitality for which Samoa is renowned.”
Each team’s squad of 28 players must consist of 23 players that are 23 years of age and under as of 10 April 2024. The remaining five players can be any age over 18.
Manuma Samoa, Fiji Warriors, Tonga A, and Japan XV will be playing a round-robin format over three matchdays at Apia Park in April 2024.
Round 1 Fixtures – 10 APRIL, 2024 – World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024
- Tonga A v Fiji Warriors – 13:15 – Apia Park
- Manuma Samoa v Japan XV – 16:00 – Apia Park
Round 2 Fixtures – 15 APRIL, 2024 – World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024
- Fiji Warriors v Japan XV – 13:15 – Apia Park
- Manuma Samoa v Tonga A – 16:00 – Apia Park
Round 3 Fixtures – 20 APRIL, 2024 – World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024
- Japan XV v Tonga A – 12:15 – Apia Park
- Manuma Samoa v Fiji Warriors – 15:00 – Apia Park
The team which records the maximum number of competition points across the tournament after the three fixtures will be crowned champions.
World Rugby Pacific Combine
World Rugby said the “best young players in the tournament will earn their spot for the Pacific Combine, a high-performance development programme to nurture talents from the Pacific Islands” and the graduates will target securing their first professional contract as they also aim to reach the senior Men’s team to earn a first international cap.
The week-long programme is funded by World Rugby which aims to identify the best talent in Oceania, with observers attending the World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024. They will be looking at areas such as technical, tactical, physical and medical aspects of the game.
At the end, 25 players will be selected for the Pacific Combine class of 2024 which will take place in Apia directly after the Pacific Challenge from 21-27 April 2024.
Previous graduates of the Pacific Combine include Frank Lomani, and James Faiva among others.
World Rugby’s High-Performance Pathways and Player Development Manager Simon Raiwalui said: “By providing access to world-leading coaches and strength and conditioning experts, we are preparing these aspiring stars so that they can perform in an elite environment, teaching them the expectations surrounding a professional rugby career, on and off the pitch.”
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