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What to watch in men’s rugby: Race for Pacific Nations Cup title heats up

265 days ago

Japan's Malo Tuitama scores a try during the Rugby Union Pacific Nations Cup, Pool B, match between Canada and Japan at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on August 25, 2024. (Photo by Don MacKinnon / AFP) (Photo by DON MACKINNON/AFP via Getty Images)

The Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup headlines a busy weekend of men’s action on RugbyPass TV.

On Friday and Saturday, the pool stage will draw to a close and Finals Series line-up will be decided as Tonga host Fiji and Japan take on USA.

Following that, the 2024 Rugby Europe Super Cup will get underway in Lisbon, Portugal and Incheon, Korea is set to play host to the opening round of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series.

Simon Raiwalui on the reimagined Pacific Nations Cup 2024

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Simon Raiwalui on the reimagined Pacific Nations Cup 2024

New World Rugby High Performance Pathways and Player Development Manager Simon Raiwalui chatted to Liam Heagney about the new look Pacific Nations Cup, comprising of Fiji, Japan, Tonga, Samoa, Canada and the USA.

You can watch all of that and much, much more on RugbyPass TV.

Pacific Nations Cup Finals Series line-up to be decided

With Canada the only team out of contention for a place in the Pacific Nations Cup semi-finals, there is plenty to play for in the final round of the pool stage.

On Friday, Tonga host Fiji at Teufaiva Stadium knowing they must claim a bonus-point victory while denying their opponents any match points to progress to the last four.

Even if they were to pull off a first win in the 100-year-old fixture since 2018 then it must be achieved by at least 27 points to overhaul Fiji and Samoa above them in Pool A.

The task facing their visitors is much simpler as Fiji know a single bonus point will be enough to send them into the semi-finals as Pool A winners.

Should Mick Byrne’s pick up the point they need it would also ensure Samoa’s passage to the last four regardless of the final result, due to Manu Samoa’s defeat of Tonga in round two.

Japan welcome USA to Kumagaya Rugby Stadium on Saturday for the second match of the round three, with the winner guaranteed top spot in Pool B.

Both teams head into the match having put difficult July campaigns behind them with victories against Canada.

The hosts have won seven of their last eight meetings with USA dating back to 2008, although this is the first time they have played each other for five years.

Moreover, USA have not beaten the Brave Blossoms on Japanese soil since May 2000 and the home side will want to lay down a considerable marker before they host the Finals Series next weekend.

You can find out whether they are able to do that and watch the full Finals Series fixture list take shape, live on RugbyPass TV except where there is a local broadcast deal in place.

Both matches will be available on RugbyPass TV outside of Oceania, South America, the Caribbean, USA and Canada. The Brave Blossoms encounter with the Men’s Eagles will also be geo-blocked in Japan.

Friday, September 6th

04:00 BST (GMT+1) – Tonga v Fiji, Teufaiva Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE

Saturday, September 7th

11:05 BST – Japan v USA, Kumagaya Rugby Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE

Super Cup 2024 kicks off in Lisbon

The fourth edition of the Rugby Europe Super Cup will get underway on Saturday as Portugal’s Lusitanos welcome Spanish side Castilla y Leon Iberians to Lisbon.

The hosts missed out on a place in the semi-finals for the first time last year but having provided a springboard for a number of players who excelled with Portugal at Men’s Rugby World Cup 2023, they will hope they can dethrone three-time defending champions Black Lion over the next two months.

Pool A rivals Castilla y Leon Iberians were well beaten by Georgia’s Black Lion in the 2023 semi-finals and will know the importance of starting the new season with a positive result.

Tel Aviv Heat will not compete in this season’s Super Cup due to what Rugby Europe described as “various logistical elements”.

It means the three teams in Pool A – Black Lion, Lusitanos and Iberians – will play each other home and away between September 7th and October 20th, with the side at the top of the standings at the end of those six rounds crowned 2024 champions.

Saturday’s opening match will be available to watch live and for free on RugbyPass TV, except in Portugal where there is a local broadcast deal in place.

Saturday, September 7th

18:00 BST – Lusitanos v Castilla y Leon Iberians, Estadio Nacional Jamor – WATCH LIVE HERE

Japan start defence of Asian sevens title

Incheon will play host to the opening round of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2024 this Saturday and Sunday, and you can watch all the action on RugbyPass TV.

The continent’s top eight men’s and women’s teams have arrived in Korea to take part in the first of three events on the 2024 series.

Defending men’s champions Japan have been drawn in Pool A alongside China, Malaysia and newly promoted Thailand.

In Pool B, last year’s series runners-up Hong Kong China will take on 2023 bronze medallisrs United Arab Emirates, hosts Korea and Singapore.

The three-tournament competition will also provide a qualification pathway to the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025, and potentially the SVNS series.

Watch all the action live and for free on RugbyPass TV.

Saturday, September 7th

01:50 BST – Day one, Namdong Incheon Asiad Rugby Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE

Sunday, September 8th

01:50 BST – Day two, Namdong Incheon Asiad Rugby Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 15 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 15 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 15 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 15 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 15 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 15 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍