IRB MEDIA RELEASE

02 May 2007

Venues Announced for IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2007

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced the venue and kick-off details for the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2007 which begins on May 19.

The exciting Tournament replaces the IRB Pacific Nations and includes Australia A for the first time alongside Fiji, Japan, Samoa Tonga and the Junior All Blacks, giving a further and significant boost to the ongoing high performance development plans within the four Tier 2 nations.

“The inaugural IRB Pacific 5 Nations Tournament in 2006 proved to be resounding success as the competition provided the platform for the Pacific Island nations and Japan to gain valuable exposure to an expanded Test calendar against high-level opposition,” said International Rugby Board Head of Rugby Services Mark Egan.

“The introduction of Australia A to the new-look IRB Pacific Nations Cup adds a further competitive edge to the round-robin Tournament, importantly guaranteeing an unprecedented number of top-level matches for Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga as they step up their preparations for Rugby World Cup 2007 in France.”

“This year’s Tournament will provide an excellent testing arena for the high performance programmes that have been developed in each Tier 2 Union through the IRB’s US $50 million, three-year global strategic investment programme which was launched in August 2005,” added Egan.

The 2007 Tournament kicks-off on May 19 when Samoa entertain Fiji in Apia (3pm local time). Australia A make their Pacific Nations Cup debut against Tonga at the Aussie Stadium, Sydney on May 25, while the following day the Junior All Blacks begin their title defence against Samoa in Apia (3pm local time) and Japan travel to Suva to take on Fiji (1pm local time).

Four more rounds will follow on consecutive weekends before the 2007 IRB Pacific Nations Cup champions are crowned.

IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2007 schedule (all kick-offs local time)

Round 1

Saturday, May 19

Samoa v Fiji, Apia Park, Apia, 3pm (early date due to pre-existing Test commitments)

Friday, May 25

Tonga v Australia A, Aussie Stadium, Sydney, 7.30pm

Saturday, May 26

Samoa v Junior All Blacks, Apia Park, Apia, 3pm

Fiji v Japan, Churchill Park, Lautaoka, 1pm

Round 2

Saturday, June 2

Tonga v Japan, Coffs Harbour, 1.30pm

Australia A v Samoa, Coffs Harbour, 3.30pm

Fiji v Junior All Blacks, National Stadium, Suva, 1.30pm

Round 3

Saturday, June 9

Tonga v Junior All Blacks, Nuku'alofa, 1pm
Australia A v Japan, Townsville, 6pm

Round 4

Saturday, June 16

Japan v Samoa, Yurtec Stadium, Sendai City, 2pm

Fiji v Tonga, Churchill Park, Lautoka, 2.30pm

Junior All Blacks v Australia A, Dunedin, 4.30pm

Round 5

Saturday, June 23

Samoa v Tonga, Apia Park, Apia 3pm

Fiji v Australia A, National Stadium, Suva, 3pm

Sunday, June 24

Japan v Junior All Blacks, Prince Chichibu, Tokyo, 2pm

Schedule and times for Pacific Nations