Apia, 1 April 2023 (TDI): The World Rugby Pacific Challenge will be hosted by Samoa as it returns for the first time since 2020. In this vein, the Government of Samoa briefed about covering the International event after 13 years.
The teams of Fiji, Japan, Samoa, and Tonga will be playing in the lands of Apia, in a 10-day tournament from May 3-13.
The World Rugby-sponsored Pacific Challenge is returning to Samoa in 2023 for an exciting competition in Apia from 3–13 May 2023, following six straight editions held in Fiji (2015–20).
Each squad in the competition will play three matches over three match days in a round-robin format.
The team that accumulates the most competition points throughout the competition will be crowned the Pacific Challenge 2023 champions, and the International Federation has approved the complete match schedule.
The four teams involved from the Asia-Pacific region will be formed from the best locally-based players, with the most promising bright future with their senior national team.
The competition will be fierce at Apia Park between defending champions Junior Japan, Fiji Warriors, and their record nine titles in the competition, Tonga A and Manuma Samoa looking for a third crown on home soil.
The tournament will allow future stars of the game in the region to develop their skills in a competitive environment against cross-border opposition.
Each team’s squad of 28 players must consist of 23 players that are 23 years of age and under as of 3 May 2023, while the remaining five players can be any age over 18.
The best local players will make up the four teams from the Asia-Pacific region, with the majority of them assured of a bright future with their senior national squad.
The battle between the reigning winners Junior Japan, the Fiji Warriors, and their record nine championships, Tonga A, and Manuma Samoa should be intense to win a third title at home.
