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IRB TO
FUND PACIFIC RIM SIX NATIONS TOURNAMENT |
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By Tuifa’asisina Peter Rees |
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The 2005
Pacific Tri Nations rugby tournament held double significance with the
top two placed teams qualifying automatically for the next World Cup in
2007. The qualifying series ended in late July with Samoa and Fiji
booking their tickets to France. As the third placed team, Tonga must
now qualify through the repecharge rounds.
Samoa and Fiji shared the same win-loss record but Samoa was declared
the overall winner because of its superior points differential.
As the top qualifier, Manu Samoa will again face top tier superpowers
England and South Africa as they did at the last World Cup. Despite
finishing second, the Fijians got the slightly easier draw placed in
the same pool as Australia and Wales.
Samoa, coached by former All Black great, La'auli Michael Jones, won
their first Pacific Tri Nations series in five years marred by their
only loss in the final game to Fiji. The Suva finale was played in
atrocious conditions where Fiji made the fewer mistakes to win 21-15.
But the margin wasn’t enough to overtake Samoa.
Despite the hiccup at the last hurdle La'auli was more than pleased to
take the top spot ahead of their end of year tour of the UK and
Argentina.
Manu Samoa made a flying start beating Tonga 50-28 and Fiji 36-10 in
convincing displays. Tuilagi brothers Alesana and Anitelea were the
shining lights proving a handful every time they touched the ball.
Missing their stars Brian Lima and captain Semo Sititi for their away
game against Tonga, they held of a spirited challenge from the Ikale
Tahi to win 30-19 in Nuku'alofa. But thoughts of a clean sweep were
dashed in their final game in Suva.
Pivac was happy with the result saying finishing second and avoiding
the pool of death with England and South Africa was good for Fijian
rugby.
Pivac did his homework before facing Samoa again. The Fijian defence
laid the platform for victory with Samoa's prolific goal kicker Roger
Warren shut down. Fiji now prepares for their November tour of the UK.
For Tonga, it was an all too familiar story. Coach Viliame Ofahengaue,
the former Wallaby flanker, won a World Cup |
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Manu Samoa prepares to take the field against Tonga’s Ikale Tahi
under the watchful eye of Papalii Peter Fatialofa, La’auli
Michael Jones and Anetelea Aiolupotea. (Photos: Lagi Kersoma) |
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Fijian captain Mosese Rauluni leads his troops out on to Suva's
National Stadium for the last game of the Pacific Rugby Tri
Nations series against Manu Samoa. (Photo: Courtesy Fiji Rugby
Union) |
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Manu Samoa fans at Apia Park; SRU President greets Fiji team.;
Ben Vai singing the Samoa anthem, Fiji captain Jacob Rauluni,
coach Wayne Pivac & trainer Henry Elder. (Photos: Peter Rees) |
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when Australia won in 1991.
But with several key players unavailable, the tough Tongans found
winning hard. Captain Aleki Lutui was relentless in all the games
leading a rampant forward pack which often dominated their rivals in
the set pieces, but were unable to convert that dominance into points.
Tonga will now go back to the drawing board and prepare for their
planned tour of France at the end of the year.
Samoa, Fiji and Tonga will be part of a revamped competitions schedule
which the IRB (International Rugby Board) announced in early August.
A Pacific Rim Six Nations tournament will replace the annual Pacific
Tri Nations series next year. The three unions will join Japan,
Australia A and New Zealand's Junior All Blacks in a new tournament
which the IRB will bankroll. The tournament is likely to be played in
the June / July window.
The other competition involving Samoa, Fiji and Tonga is a Pacific
Franchise League which will precede the Six Nations, probably in April.
It will be similar in format to the Super 12 with each Pacific union
supplying two teams each. Only non test players will be eligible for
this tournament.
The IRB also announced a 30 million pounds package, the majority
earmarked for tier two members. Samoa was the biggest beneficiary
receiving $US2.7 million over three years. Tonga and Fiji gained
$US1.48m and $US1.4m respectively.
The funding is intended to develop high performance units in a global
effort to improve standards and make future World Cups more
competitive.
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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