The Flying Fijians putting in some defense work against Manu Samoa at Apia Park on Saturday. 29 July 2023. Photo: Piui Simi / Samoa Observer
The 2024 Pacific Nations Cup competition kicks off in Suva on Friday, when the hosts Fiji will clash with neighbours Samoa for the 56 time.
But for the island rugby unions in the six -team event, they will have more than just the PNC title to chase - they will also mark 100 years of rugby union.
Fiji, Samoa and Tonga played first Test rugby games against each other in 1924.
Although rugby was first played in Fiji in 1884, internationals between the three countries did not start until 1924.
Fiji played against Samoa in two Test matches in Apia, winning the first, before the locals avenged that with a good win against the visitors in the second match.
The Fijians then sailed across to Tonga and returned with a successful nine-match tour of the Kingdom, winning seven games, with a draw and a loss to their name.
Now, a century later, the game of rugby has developed, most laws have changed, and players are now either semi-professionals or professionals, with big money involved.
Both the Samoa and Tonga Rugby Unions will be celebrating the centennials.
Lakapi Samoa have a week-long celebration planned for Apia from 25 August, culminating on the 30th, when Manu Samoa hosts the 'Ikale Tahi at Apia Park.
Records show the two teams have played 69 Test matches against each other.
Lakapi Samoa chief executive Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai told the Samoa Observer plans are already confirmed.
"We will be having our celebration on Sunday the 25th. We were hoping to have it at the Mulivai Cathedral, but it's closed because there's work being done on it in preparation for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting," he was quoted by the newspaper.
"We wanted to have it at the EFKS Hall because it was the only big place. However, we have moved it to St Theresa Catholic Church, Lepea.
"It's almost the same as the Marist's celebration but the Manu Samoa and Tonga game is within this week's celebration."
They will have a march on 27 August, where all the former rugby players will be participating.
Fepuleai said about 600 players will be in this celebration.
On 28 August, the union will host a Capping Awards night at Friendship Park.
"We're capping everybody that has played for Manu Samoa," Fepuleai added.
Manu Samoa team training in Apia for the Pacific Nations Cup. Photo: Manu Samoa
Tonga Rugby (TRU) have their own celebrations planned for the week after, that also including the rugby Test between the 'Ikale Tahi and Flying Fijians at Te'ufaiva Stadium on September.
It will be the 95th Test match between the two nations.
TRU chief executive Aisea 'Aholelei said they will be celebrating with former players, families and fans.
"There are plans already for the week," he said.
PNC's own history
The PNC has its own history to celebrate as well.
Since starting in 2006, Fiji has won the top title six times, Manu Samoa four, while Tonga is still chasing their maiden title, although they had finished runners-up twice in 2011 and 2017.
World Rugby has decided to expand the competition this year to six teams, with a pool for the three Pasifika teams and the second pool made up of Japan, Canada and the United States.
The teams will play their pool games in a round-robin format, with the two pools then playing across for the play-offs.
That ensures more game time for the teams and a chance to test themselves against each other for rankings.
It also gives the teams, apart from Fiji and Japan, the opportunity to start building for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with qualifiers scheduled for 2025.
Manu Samoa team training in Apia for the Pacific Nations Cup. Photo: Manu Samoa
Fiji hosts Samoa this week, before the Samoans return home to prepare for Tonga next weekend.
Tonga will then host the Fijians in Nuku'alofa in the third week.
World Rugby said this year's series kicks off a new era for the cross-regional competition.
The world union has singled out Fiji's Iosefo Masi, Tonga's Ben Tameifuna and Samoa's Tuna Tuitama as players to watch in the Pacific pool.
"Fresh from helping Fiji to an Olympic sevens silver medal at Paris 2024, Iosefo Masi is ready to show his quality on a 15s pitch," World Rugby said.
Masi started all six of Fiji's matches at Stade de France last month, following a two-year break from sevens, scoring three tries and linking up with test team-mate Selesitino Ravutaumada to devastating effect.
"The Fijian Drua star, a gold medallist at Tokyo 2020, was unable to help his country to a hat-trick of Olympic titles as they fell just short in the gold medal match against the Antoine Dupont-powered hosts. But back in the test arena, Masi will not lack inspiration as he attempts to drive Fiji to a seventh Pacific Nations Cup title.
"The centre made a try-scoring test debut against Samoa last July and went on to make two appearances as a replacement during RWC 2023 in France."
In the absence of Josua Tuisova and Waisea Nayacalevu, Masi will have an important role to play over the next month. He was one of the standout players in this year's Super Rugby Pacific, beating more defenders (80) than any other player in the competition.
Fiji v Tonga during the PNC in 2022. Photo: World Rugby
Of Tuitama, World Rugby said the young Samoan player was a bright spark in the Samoa sevens team of recent years.
Tuitama made his world series debut in December 2019 but, largely due to the impact of the pandemic, it was not until three years later that he became a regular on the circuit.
The uncapped winger will not only be part of the Samoa squad chasing a fifth PNC crown, he has also signed with Super Rugby Pacific side Moana Pasifika for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Tonga's heavyweight prop Tameifuna is arguably the most recognisable face in the Tonga squad.
A former New Zealand U20 international, Tameifuna began his professional career with the Chiefs, where he won two Super Rugby titles, before moving to France with Racing 92 in 2015.
He subsequently switched his international allegiance to Tonga, making his test debut against Wales in 2017 and going on to feature at two Men's Rugby World Cups. In doing so, he emulated his uncle Sona Taumalolo, who represented the 'Ikale Tahi at the showpiece tournament in 2011 and 2015.
Despite his size, Tameifuna is known for possessing deft handling skills while his prowess from a kicking tee has previously gone viral. He was named captain at RWC 2023.
But whatever happens, one thing is guaranteed, there's going to be a lot of rugby celebrations happening as the top Pacific three unions enjoy 100 years of playing Test rugby matches.
Teams finalize preparations
Meanwhile, the Flying Fijians marched into camp in Suva on Sunday.
They attended a church service at the Nasese Methodist Church and Europe-based player Temo Mayanavanua said it was important they sought spiritual gudiance first, emphasising that is part of their Fijianness.
"For me personally spiritual life is most important," he said.
"There's three pillars that defines a Fijian, his relationship to the vanua (land), his relationship to the family or the matavuvale and to his faith. And for us as a team it is a good start to our campaign."
Head coach Mick Byrne said they are focused on developing their young players, while also aiming to win all Test matches.
With one eye on the 2027 Rugby World Cup, he said it is critical that young players are given their opportunities now.
"Every Test match we play is an important Test match and that's what our focus is, every Test match we have to win," he said.
"We also got one eye on the future and how we build towards that squad.
"I know our fans understand what we are doing and they are always supporting us and we want to show them this Friday night."
Manu Samoa have been training in Apia in the past two weeks under head coach Mase Mahonri Schwalger.
The team have had their fair share of challenges as well but word out of Apia is that they have prepared well for the Fiji clash.
Under Schwalger the team had defeated both Italy and Spain in Test matches last month.
Friday's clash kicks off at 6pm Fiji time.
