World Rugby has confirmed that Samoa will host the
Pacific Challenge in May.
Fiji has hosted the last six consecutive editions
(2015-20) since the World Rugby-funded event was rebranded as the
Pacific Challenge.
The tournament, which will take place in Apia from
3 to 13 May 2023, will be played across three match days in a
round-robin format with each team – Manuma Samoa, Fiji Warriors,
Tonga A and Junior Japan – playing three matches.
The Pacific Challenge 2023 champions will be the
team who records the maximum number of competition points across
the tournament.
The four teams involved will be formed from the
best locally-based players, with most promised of a bright future
with their senior national team.
Each team’s squad of 28 players must consist of 23
players that are 23 years of age and under as of 3 May 2023, while
the remaining five players can be any age over 18. The tournament
will allow future stars of the game in the region to develop their
skills in a competitive environment against cross-border
opposition.
Competition should be fierce at Apia Park between
defending champions Junior Japan, Fiji Warriors and their record
nine titles in the competition, Tonga A and Manuma Samoa looking
for a third crown on home soil.
Samoa are looking forward to hosting the competing
teams and their first international World Rugby tournament in 13
years, the last having been the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup in
Apia in 2010.
This year also marks 50 years of diplomatic
relations between Samoa and Japan and their two senior teams will
meet on 28 September at Rugby World Cup 2023 in France later this
year.
Wednesday, 3 May
Junior Japan v Fiji Warriors
Manuma Samoa v Tonga A
Monday, 8 May
Tonga A v Junior Japan
Manuma
Samoa v Fiji Warriors
Saturday, 13 May
Fiji Warriors v Tonga A
Manuma Samoa v Junior Japan
Kick off times are yet to be confirmed.
“We are excited to be hosting this event in Samoa
after the last three years of the pandemic but also a start on
what is an exciting year for rugby in our region heading towards
Rugby World Cup in France,” said Lakapi Samoa CEO, Faleomavaega
Vincent. “We are grateful to World Rugby for bringing the games to
Samoa and we look forward to hosting our friends from Japan, Tonga
and Fiji.”
