2024 Pacific Nations Cup preview
Canada returns to the Pacific Nations Cup for the first time since 2019.
Following their results in the Ottawa Series this summer, Canadian Men’s Senior XV are back in the revamped Pacific Nations Cup, for the first time since 2019. The format has changed, with Canada facing the teams in their own pool, first with Japan at home, then the USA away. After a week’s bye, Canada will then head to Japan, to face opposition from the other Pool, or either Fiji, Samoa, or Tonga. Table points remain the same as other rugby competitions, with 4 for a win, 2 for a draw, a try bonus point of scoring 4 tries or more, and a losing bonus point of being 7 match points or fewer of their opposition. As such, Canada is guaranteed to have 3 matches in this tournament.
It has been determined by World Rugby that the 2025 version of the tournament will determine 3 further qualifiers for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia (Fiji & Japan have already qualified from their final pool positions in 2023.) As such, 2024 can be seen as testing the waters not only of a Canadian team looking to return to the biggest competition in men’s XVs rugby, but also the new format itself.
Canada vs Japan - August 25 - BC Place - KO at 17:00 ET
Japan are Canada’s second-most played opposition, with the teams having faced each other 25 times, with Canada winning 8 matches, losing 15, and drawing 2. Canada have not faced Japan since 2016, where the visitors narrowly won 26-22, and Canada have not beaten Japan since a 15-10 victory over the Brave Blossoms in the Super Cup of 2005! Since 2005, Japan have hosted a Men’s Rugby World Cup, repeatedly faced the All Blacks, and won the most thrilling upset in men’s Rugby World Cup history. Canada…have not.
With their place at MRWC 2027 already secured, Japan could be sending a more youthful side to the PNC, to get them prepared more for international rugby. While Japan have yet to secure a capped win in 2024, they have been facing strong opposition - England, Georgia, and Italy. Japan are also 14th in the World Rugby Rankings, while Canada is 21st. Even if Canada name a strong side, this one looks to be going the way of the Brave Blossoms.
USA vs Canada - August 31 - Dignity Health Sports Park - KO at 21:00 ET
The old rivalry gets annother addition, as Canada take on the USA in Los Angeles. This will be the first time the sides have met since the 2021 qualifiers for the Rugby World Cup. Although Canada won the first leg in St Johns (and Rugby Canada never shuts up about it,) it was the United States that won the second leg, and aggregate, to advance in the qualifiers. With the Eagles having to proceed through 3 more rounds of RWC qualifiers (series against Uruguay, series against Chile, and the Final Qualification Tournament,) it hasn’t bee possible to have this border fixture, although if the PNC is successful, we will be able to have it as a regular occurence.
Of the 65 previous fixture, the Canucks have won 39, with the Eagles winning 24, and 2 games tied. That said, the USA have won 12 of the last 14 fixtures, and currently sit 19th in the world, 2 places higher than Canada. However, over the summer test matches, both teams faced Romania and Scotland - while both teams were resoundly beaten by Soctland (Canada moreso,) it was the Canadians who were able to get a win over Romania, while the USA narrowly lost due to their peanlty count.
This will be the closest game of the Pool, and if Canada can maintain their composure, they could get a win over the Eagles, on Eagles turf as well.
Canada vs Fiji/Samoa/Tonga - September 14/15 - Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium - KO at TBC ET
Canada is guaranteed to face at least one of these teams, and at most two. As such, here is a breakdown of each team, and their stats against Canada:
FIJI - Ranked 10th in the World, these teams last played each other in 2019. Canada’s last victory over Fiji was in 1995. Fiji are predicted to top their pool. If Canada finish second, Fiji will be their likely opposition in the finals round.
SAMOA - Ranked 13th in the World, these teams last played each other in 2016. Canada have never beaten Samoa. If Canada finish second, and Samoa can cause an upset over Fiji, these teams will face each other in the Finals round.
TONGA - Ranked 16th in the World, these teams last played each other last year, in Tonga. Canada’s last victory over Tonga was in 2013. If Canada finish third, Tonga will be their likely opposition in the 5th place final.
With these stats, Canada could well end up in the 5th place Final against Tonga. A win over USA would have them finish at least 4th, but maybe it would be wiser to test it out in 2024, and win in 2025, securing Canada’s return to the men’s Rugby World Cup?
The Pacific Nations Cup will be available on TSN, with it likely being on TSN channels for the Pool games, and TSN+ for the Finals, due to the time difference of Japan.