Injury-hit Fiji host Tonga to start the Pacific Nations Cup tomorrow as Pacific and North American teams begin their shakedown ahead of the World Cup. In the tournament held across three nations, this weekend’s other opening round fixtures are to be played in San Jose, California, where Canada face Japan and Samoa meet the US. Later matches are to be played in Canada.
When they meet their island nation rivals in Suva, Fiji will be without flying winger Nemani Nadolo and skipper Akapusi Qera, who were injured during the narrow 27-26 loss to New Zealand Maori last week.
Nadolo, a key points scorer for Fiji, tore an abdominal muscle and will play no part in the Pacific Nations Cup.
Fiji coach John McKee said Qera, who has a knee injury, could have played against Tonga, but the decision was made to rest him with an eye on Fiji’s second match, against Samoa in California on Friday next week.
“Our target is to be the fittest team for the Rugby World Cup and we have got two months to work on that,” McKee said.
Under a new Pacific Nations Cup format, the six teams play three matches each with the two best sides playing the final.
“I’m expecting three very challenging games,” McKee said, whose side are to play the World Cup opener against England on Sept. 18.
Tonga usually have a strong squad in Cup years and there is a fierce rivalry between the two countries on the rugby field.
“Samoa showed what a strong team they are in their strong performance against the All Blacks. Japan are the big improvers in the Pacific region with some very impressive results over the past 12 months,” he added.
The Pacific Nations Cup will give the US some valuable insight into two of their World Cup pool rivals — Samoa and Japan.
“The Samoa game will be an interesting one, for sure, with both teams no doubt testing each other out before the World Cup and the same goes for Japan, who we narrowly lost to in a high-scoring game [37-29] in last year’s competition. Tonga is always a tough game too,” Saracens-based US captain Chris Wyles said.
Although the Pacific Nations Cup features second-tier teams, World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said it “takes on extra significance with Rugby World Cup 2015 just two months away.”
Samoa are ranked ninth in the world, ahead of Fiji (11th), Tonga (12th), Japan (13th), the US (16th) and Canada (17th).
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