Preview: Pacific Nations Cup
Fijian flyer: Gloucester's Akapusi Qera
Saturday marks the start of the pinnacle of the annual calendar for the Pacific Islands and Japan, when the IRB Pacific Nations Cup gets underway in Lautoka, Fiji.
The tournament has undergone a couple of tweaks in format and membership since last year's edition, and now offers the Pacific Islands and Japan an excellent platform upon which to build for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The Pacific rim area has had cash ploughed into it by the IRB over the past couple of years, and the indicators are that the money is reaping rich rewards. Japan waltzed through the recent Asian Five Nations trophy, and the Pacific Rugby Cup (PRC), contested by two teams each from Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa, once again produced some excellent rugby.
With Australia sending a powerful A side, and New Zealand sending their Maori side - effectively an All Black A side with a couple of tweaks - the tournament promises much.
Perhaps there should be a few more eyes on Japan than usual as well. Their raise in profile, including the cash riches of the national league tempting a host of big names to see out their careers there and their selection as hosts of the 2009 Junior World Championship, suggests that the ambition of hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2015 is moving towards fulfilment, even if belatedly.
Fiji high performance manager Peter Murphy outlined Fiji's determination to use the tournament to consolidate advances made last year, when the team made the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
"We want to be the dominant force in the Pacific and beat Samoa and Tonga consistently," he said.
"The lure of test matches is also part of the plan as overseas teams will only want to play the best."
Local form does not bode well for the Fijians, with the Fiji Warriors and Barbarians finishing in the bottom two places of the PRC this year, but there are a number of players drawn from overseas clubs as well, such as Clermont flyer Vilimoni Delasau, Stormers wing Sireli Naqelevuki, and Gloucester's brilliant flanker Akapusi Qera. Why the Top 14 top tryscorer Napolioni Nalaga is not there is a mystery though.
Japan coach John Kirwan also praised the tournament as an ideal development ground for his side in terms of meaningful and structured competition.
"At the moment Japan are 16th in the world. Next we want to get to eleven and then to number eight. Our goal is Tonga, Fiji and Samoa and then to keep working," said Kirwan.
The New Zealand Maori squad includes former All Blacks Daniel Braid and Jason Eaton and players almost certainly destined for All Blacks selection, among them Canterbury Crusaders utility back Stephen Brett.
"Our Pacific Island rivals are very passionate about their rugby. Japan continues to improve on the international stage and we know Australia A will be a tough team," said Maori coach Donny Stevenson.
Australia A have a less familiar look about them, but Australian rugby is in the rudest of health at youth level, with a number of Super 14 starlets off to Wales for the U20 World Championship. Those slightly too old for that have made the cut for the A side, such as Brumbies centre Tyrone Smith, as well as a couple of bolters plucked from club rugby such as prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Samoa have drawn heavily on their IRB Sevens squad, as well as from their scattered riches in Europe. Uale Mai, Lolo Lui and Reupena Levasa are the best-known of the IRB Sevens players, while Census Johnstone, Jonathan Fa'amatuainu, and Eliota Sapolu-Fuimaono are well-established Guinness Premiership players, and Henry Tuilagi, Henry Fa'afili, and Gavin Williams among others are all plying their trade in the Top 14.
The rest of the squad is mostly taken from the Upolu Samoa team that narrowly lost the PRC final 11-3 to Tongan side Tautahi Gold.
Pacific Nations Cup schedule:
June 7 - Fiji v Samoa, Lautoka
June 7 - NZ Maori v Tonga, Albany
June 8 - Japan v Australia A, Tokyo
June 14 - Japan v Tonga, Sendai
June 14 - Samoa v Australia A, Apia
June 14 - Fiji v New Zealand Maori, Lautoka
June 21 - NZ Maori v Samoa, Hamilton
June 22 - Japan v Fiji, Tokyo
June 22 - Australia A v Tonga, Sydney
June 28 - Tonga v Samoa, Nuku'alofa
June 28 - NZ Maori v Japan, Napier
June 29 - Australia A v Fiji, Brisbane
July 5 - Tonga v Samoa, Nuku'alofa
July 5 - Samoa v Japan, Apia
July 6 - Australia A v NZ Maori, Sydney
Squads:
Fiji: Graham Dewes, Sunia Koto, Kele Leawere, Wame Lewaravu, Semisi Naevo, Akapusi Qera, Jone Railomo, Aca Ratuva, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Vereniki Sauturaga, Viliame Seuseu, Alefoso Yalayalatabua, Netani Talei, Deryck Thomas, Vilimoni Delasau, Vereniki Goneva, Maleli Kunavore, Waisea Luveniyali, Timoci Nagusa, Sireli Naqelevuki, Kameli Ratuvou, Jonetani Ralulu, Mosese Rauluni, Dan Rawaqa, Michael Tagicakibau, Aporosa Vata.
Samoa: NB - training squad, to be reduced Mahroni Schwalger, Loleni Tafunai, Census Johnstone, Hiroshi Tea, Evile Telea, Taligatuli Moala, Muliufi Salanoa, James Johnstone, Filipo Levi, Chad Slade, Luti Pese, Jonathan Fa'amatuainu, Ruperake Petaia, Kane Thompson, Iosefa Tekori, Daniel Leo, Raymond Stowers, Bell Sasulu, Alapasa Cordtz, Ati A'a, George Stowers, Henry Tuilagi, Notise Tauafao, Uale Mai, Dominic Gabriel, Roger Warren, Ki Anufe, Neli Sasulu, Samasoni Moala, Reupena Levasa, Eliota Sapolu-Fuimaono, Anitelea Tuilagi, Solomona Tavita, Gasolo Salima, Pale Toelupe, David Lemi, Esera Lauina, Peni Sapau, Henry Fa'afili, Lolo Lui, John Vui, Gavin Williams.
Tonga: tbc
Japan: tbc
New Zealand Maori: Tim Bateman, Daniel Braid, Stephen Brett, Callum Bruce, Keith Cameron, Aled de Malmanche, Jason Eaton, Hikawera Elliot, Jacob Ellison, Tamati Ellison, Ross Filipo, Hosea Gear, Glen Horton, Jason Kawau, Tanerau Latimer, Zar Lawrence, Hoani MacDonald, Ben May, Liam Messam, Clint Newland, Shannon Paku, Chris Smylie, Dwayne Sweeney, Hayden Triggs, Thomas Waldrom, Piri Weepu.
Australia A: Al Campbell, Mitchell Chapman, Pek Cowan, Sean Hardman, Matt Hodgson, Leroy Houston, Van Humphries, Peter Kimlin, Poutasi Luafutu, Tai McIsaac, Salesi Ma'afu, Julian Salvi, Guy Shepherdson, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Matt Carraro, Scott Daruda, Francis Fainifo, Mark Gerrard, Daniel Halangahu, Josh Holmes, Ben Lucas, Sam Norton-Knight, Patrick Phibbs, Tyrone Smith, Timana Tahu, Morgan Turinui.