Fijian Ilivasi Tabua stood down on Tuesday as Head Coach of the Pacific Islanders' squad to tour Europe in November.
Former Fijian coup leader and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is to manage the Pacific Islanders team on its tour to England, France and Italy.
Samoa stole a nine-try thriller by five tries to four in a pulsating 37-31 win over Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday.
Thomas Waldrom's last-gasp try gave New Zealand Maori the Pacific Nations Cup with a 21-18 win over Australia A in Sydney on Sunday.
Tonga finished their IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2008 campaign on a high by defeating Fiji 27-16 at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa on Saturday.
After impressing at the Rugby World Cup last year, Tonga have flattered to deceive in this year's Pacific Nations Cup and enter the final weekend still looking for their first win.
New Zealand and South Africa will be playing for more than Tri-Nations points when they meet in Wellington on Saturday - the winners will also secure top spot on the IRB World Rankings.
Phil Mooney has named ten players with full Australia experience for Sunday's Pacific Nations Cup decider between Australia A and New Zealand Maori.
The forthcoming Pacific Nations clash between Australia A and New Zealand Maori will be a virtual final with both sides heading into the final week undefeated after victories in the latest round of matches.
Samoa made the most of their dearth of possession to beat Tonga 20-15 in the Pacific Nations Cup in Nuku'alofa on Saturday, almost certainly consigning the Tongans to the wooden spoon.
New Zealand Maori swept Japan aside in Napier in the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday, winning 65-22 courtesy of a second-half try shower that included a hat-trick from Hosea Gear.
Former Rugby League star Timana Tahu has said he has no regrets about his switch to Rugby Union, revealing he had wanted to swap codes four years ago.
With the All Blacks having a week off, attention switches to the Pacific Nations Cup match between Japan and the unbeaten New Zealand Maori in Napier on Saturday.
Australia World Cup winger Drew Mitchell will look to push his Test claims from full-back when he lines up for Australia A against Fiji in Brisbane on Sunday.
Australia A, reinforced by several first team squad players, gave Tonga a rugby lesson with a 90-7 win in Sydney in the Pacific Nations Cup on Sunday.