Pacific Nations Cup in 2013, 2014 and 2015

[Toko_11]

djwizard84
In the meantime, we'll just have to joke about it. In February, we will have two home games in ENC - again in Sochi. First we'll play in Sochi on a neutral field with Spain, and the other will play away to Georgia, too, in Sochi. Who understood the meaning of a joke?:lol:

haha wonder why is there low attendance for russia games in 90% georgian populated sochi lol..

also if russia moved to pnc or asia.. does it mean that their clubs will also have to play in asian competitions ? instead of(potentially) playing vs romanian and georgian teams and later maybe on amlin or heineken ? that would be a terrible idea... on a club lvl europe is million times ahead of asia even if we dont count 6n championships... i think poland serbia and ukraine have 100 times better championship than anyone in asia..save japs

 

[white bear]

Guys, how much fees for participation in Pacific Cap?

 

[Tonga_rugby]

http://www.irb.com/pacificnationscup/news/newsid=2065050.html#exciting+look+pacific+nations+cup

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_8425572,00.html

IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2013 fixtures:

Saturday, May 25
Japan v Tonga
Canada v USA

Saturday, June 1
Fiji v Japan

Wednesday, June 5
Fiji v Canada (in Canada)

Saturday, June 8
Canada v Tonga

Saturday, June 15
USA v Tonga

Wednesday, June 19
Japan v Canada (in Japan)
Fiji v USA (in Japan)

Sunday, June 23
Japan v USA (in Japan)
Tonga v Fiji (in Japan)

 

[LittleGuy]

That schedule looks like a bit of a mess, Canada will have to travel to Japan and play them only 4-5 days after facing Ireland and adjust to the time difference, likely to get a hiding at their hands e.g. that diastrous 2010 tour.

While I'm excited about the prospects of this PNC future, I think this years edition will be a little sub par because it has to fit around the test schedules already put into place. Canada also has the RWCQ's with the U.S.A. in July so it will be a busy couple of months for the two sides.

 

[LittleGuy]

Understatement there. Looks like they've just packed in just a few weeks.

No way will any of the teams be full strength as it starts in May, outside international window I think, also Japan, Canada and USA may well be focusing more on their Tier 1 fixtures (remember Samoa played a PNC match in midweek in 2011 whilst their entire first choice squad was based in Australia preparing to play them?), and not tiring their players out with that jam packed schedule.

Apparently Canada vs USA won't be a capped match and just a Canada XV v USA XV match by the way, as neither will get their top players for it outside international window. The PNC looks more devalued than ever.

I don't know why the IRB can't schedule it in July alongside the The Rugby Championship?

That way it won't be squashed, won't coincide with club season (PNC season shorter than RC), won't be secondary to nation's incoming tours, and if IRB can make sure Argentina have top players for the RC then why not in the PNC?

Looking back now, Samoa were lucky that they got in the top 8 for RWC seedings, as they fielded an understrength side to face Tonga and only won thanks to some dreadful errors made by an out of position Viliame Iongi at full back. In hindsight that was that got them their top 8 ranking, a loss to Tonga could have messed it up.

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I have also heard these rumours, Thisisamerrugby was trying to get in touch with someone in the know to confirm this since the match has now become a part of the schedule of the PNC when previously it just looked like a one off. The game is also rumoured to be played in Edmonton, while the RWCQ's will probably be played in outrageously hot and humid conditions as they are planned for Atlanta(thats going to be hot as hell) and Toronto.

 

[norcalbuff]

Schedule is idiotic, just like this hair-brained competition from the IRB. How drunk are the IRB when they make these decisions?

 

[Dougydeluxe]

It is a step in the right direction, but they will definitely have to look at changing the schedule in the future.

Can't wait to see Canada improve.

 

[Big Ewis]

allllll the best to our friends out West there across the Atlantic.
Now this is good competition.

It's cool as well that their first tournament (CAN USA) will be without Samoa. Samoa's in a different league right now than Tonga Fiji Canada etc.

 

[Canucks]

I have also heard these rumours, Thisisamerrugby was trying to get in touch with someone in the know to confirm this since the match has now become a part of the schedule of the PNC when previously it just looked like a one off. The game is also rumoured to be played in Edmonton, while the RWCQ's will probably be played in outrageously hot and humid conditions as they are planned for Atlanta(thats going to be hot as hell) and Toronto.

Well this is a disappointment.

Ill wait for more details before I trash it but this looks about as promising as playing at swangard.

I think you have highlighted another problem: stadiums.

Canada and usa need to establish regular playing grounds and build a home.
Usa perpetually flip flops as does canada. Given that both teams are going to be in the 6-8 home matches a year this needs to be a priority.
Currently the matches held on east coast Usa and toronto are very accommodating to European sides. Bmo field is an excellent ground and seems to attract a lot of rugby canadas attention.

Unforntuantely, asking samoa/tonga to travel to new york/toronto seems is bit unnecessary when los angeles amd vancouver are available. Its a shame rugby canada and bc rugby cannot get on the same page (see pacific tyee situation) as bc place is a world class stadium in the biggest rugby hotbed in NA begging for tenants.

Regardless, this should be a positive just not as much of a positive as I originslly thought.

 

[norcalbuff]

At least in the US, most immigration from the PIs has been to California and Utah so it doesn't make much sense to play the PIs anywhere else. It looks like Houston might start to be establishing itself as an annual test venue. They have a nice soccer stadium and set the American attendance record for 15s last year and are hoping to sell out the stadium (capacity 22,000) against Ireland in June. I think Salt Lake City could develop quite nicely into a good test venue, too. They have gotten ~10k 2 years in a row for the college final, had good crowds for the JWRT last year and they also have a nice MLS stadium with around 20k capacity. The Northeast has been very disappointing with regards to attendance at matches so I'm not sure about there. In California, Sacramento needs to be seriously looked at for a test match. Probably the place in the US where age grade rugby is the most popular and there are few competing sporting options in a city with a metro area of over 2 million. That combined with the Eagles from Sacramento (Stanfill, Fry, Scully, Hawley and Palamo if he comes back) and you're pretty much guaranteed to get great coverage in the local media. Sacramento State's football stadium would be decent for rugby too as it is about 22k capacity and its dimensions are good for rugby unlike many football stadiums which are too narrow.

 

[psychic duck]

allllll the best to our friends out West there across the Atlantic.
Now this is good competition.

It's cool as well that their first tournament (CAN USA) will be without Samoa. Samoa's in a different league right now than Tonga Fiji Canada etc.

They are certainly better at the minute, but matches between those sides wouldn't be as one sided and not worthwhile as you are suggesting. I don't see how it's "cool" that Samoa aren't in the tournament, and actually think it is a poor decision by them not to play at all as they won't get tournaments in SA every year and giving up what is their staple fixtures is a risk.

Also the Pacific Islanders grudge matches involving Samoa, Tonga and Fiji are normally always close. They all have similar physical styles of play and know each others weaknesses and strengths very well.

Samoa played a very strong side away to Japan last year, and Japan nearly beat them and missed a last minute conversion that would have won them the game which they lost by one point. Samoa didn't thrash any side in the PNC last year, and there wasn't a single complete wipeout. So yet again you've got your facts wrong.

Also you emphasise that "this is a good competition". In theory I agree it would be, but unfortunately the IRB has been brainless enough to schedule it to take place during a period that none of the teams will get their top players available, so the teams will be so understrength that Canada and USA aren't even bothering to award full international caps for all the matches. So it's not such a good competition, considering that all the teams will be playing just local based players and none or very few of their European based stars.

 

[norcalbuff]

It may not even be the best domestic American players in the USA-Canada match in the PNC. It's scheduled for the same date as the final of Elite Cup (successor to Super League). Not sure which would take precedence but given that it's a non-cap match, I'm wondering if they'll even bother selecting players from the teams that are in the final. The IRB needs to hire someone to do scheduling for them. They have proven their incompetence time and time again with regard to that (and of course other things too).

 

[BCLock]

Well this is a disappointment.

Ill wait for more details before I trash it but this looks about as promising as playing at swangard.

I think you have highlighted another problem: stadiums.

Canada and usa need to establish regular playing grounds and build a home.
Usa perpetually flip flops as does canada. Given that both teams are going to be in the 6-8 home matches a year this needs to be a priority.
Currently the matches held on east coast Usa and toronto are very accommodating to European sides. Bmo field is an excellent ground and seems to attract a lot of rugby canadas attention.

Unforntuantely, asking samoa/tonga to travel to new york/toronto seems is bit unnecessary when los angeles amd vancouver are available. Its a shame rugby canada and bc rugby cannot get on the same page (see pacific tyee situation) as bc place is a world class stadium in the biggest rugby hotbed in NA begging for tenants.

Regardless, this should be a positive just not as much of a positive as I originslly thought.

Do you mean just have two national stadiums in Vancouver and Toronto? While I personally would love it because I'd get to see more games, I still think they should play in as many cities as possible, to try and grow the game everywhere.

As far as BC Place goes, we weren't able to sell out Swangard, a 5,000 seat venue. Also, BC Place is turf, and I don't care how much it's improved, rugby on turf is horrendous.

 

[norcalbuff]

It seems like the problems with attendance in Vancouver are more related to the BCRU-Rugby Canada issues than anything. Is there really any doubt that if Rugby Canada actually engaged the local rugby community in BC that you guys would get good crowds? Getting the local rugby community in Texas behind the Italy test last summer got us a crowd of 17k in Houston, so surely the same could happen in BC where the rugby community is much larger?

It doesn't help playing in Mickey Mouse stadiums either. USA Rugby and Rugby Canada should both be trying to hold tests in stadiums with modern facilities with capacity of 20-25k going forward. It is essential that we grow our crowds and that our national teams become money makers (the primary difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 sides IMO) rather than money losers funded by the dues of amateur players.

 

[Canucks]

Do you mean just have two national stadiums in Vancouver and Toronto? While I personally would love it because I'd get to see more games, I still think they should play in as many cities as possible, to try and grow the game everywhere.

As far as BC Place goes, we weren't able to sell out Swangard, a 5,000 seat venue. Also, BC Place is turf, and I don't care how much it's improved, rugby on turf is horrendous.

Im saying keep 2 main national stadiums in effort to build a community and stabilise the cost. In terms of growing the game, there can be the odd international played in other areas of canada as the program becomes more successful. Essentially learning to walk before you run. We have world class facilities that are looking for tenants, we need to take advantage of that.

That being said I do not want a soccer Canada situation where all the games are played in Toronto.

Im unsure if youve played rugby on turf but I have found that its a much more fast, consistent game. I think the biggest adjust for me was using way shorter studs in my boots. As well, from what I hear bc place turf no longer gives turf burn.
If you know something I dont please let me know.

I agree with norcal over the attendance issues. None of my friends back home even knew the georgia game existed. Then when they found it was swanguard, they promptly said not interested. Swanguard is not the most up to date stadium and theres a laundry list of problems. Theres a reason why the whitecaps were very interested in moving to bcplace (please note their attendance has also increased quite a bit since the move.)

If you dont play on turf the only other sizeable grass field would be thunderbird at ubc. That stadium is an average venue but a real pain to get too. I also heard that it costs 3 times what swanguard does to rent and only gets 3-4k more people.

 

[LittleGuy]

Canada have announced where they are playing the three home games they have, good to see Edmonton getting a game the 2009 RWCQ was a big hit there. Kingston was a decent success last year as well and I think will draw well it's also by far the best facility of the three. Ottawa midweek game could be a challenge hopefully we can get a few thousand out to that one.

Canada vs. USA
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton, Alberta

Canada vs. Fiji
Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
Twin Elm Rugby Park, Ottawa, Ontario

Canada vs. Tonga
Saturday, June 8th, 2013
Richardson Stadium at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario

 

[dudeabides]

They also provide the non Canadian fixtures, including a 5 day break between tests for the USA Eagles to get from Utah to Japan... ah, but big deal right? Like Tonga and Fiji require any kind of recovery afterwards for a team like USA (sarcasm there)...

Additional scheduled PNC games not held on Canadian soil include:

Japan vs. Tonga
May 25, 2013
Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium, Yokohama

Fiji Vs. Japan
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Churchill Park, Lautoka

USA vs, Tonga
Friday, June 14, 2013
Rio Tinto Stadium, Salt Lake City, USA

Fiji vs. USA
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Japan (TBD)

Japan vs. Canada
Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Venue: Mizuho Rugby Ground, Nagoya

Tonga vs. Fiji
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Chichibunomiya Memorial, Tokyo

Japan v. USA
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Chichibunomiya Memorial, Tokyo

http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=3817&leagueID=0&page=68116

 

[LittleGuy]

They also provide the non Canadian fixtures, including a 5 day break between tests for the USA Eagles to get from Utah to Japan... ah, but big deal right? Like Tonga and Fiji require any kind of recovery afterwards for a team like USA (sarcasm there)...



http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=3817&leagueID=0&page=68116

Canada will only have the same amount of time after playing Ireland, that game was initially going to take place in Toronto though I could now see it taking place in Vancouver, either way this years PNC is a total mess. Might not have been a bad idea to just hold off for a year until a proper comp could be put in place, I guess beggars can't be choosers!!!

 

[Nielsch]

I'll arrive in Vancouver on June 15, so here's hoping the Canada - Ireland match will be staged there.

 

[norcalbuff]

Canada will only have the same amount of time after playing Ireland, that game was initially going to take place in Toronto though I could now see it taking place in Vancouver, either way this years PNC is a total mess. Might not have been a bad idea to just hold off for a year until a proper comp could be put in place, I guess beggars can't be choosers!!!

Beggars can't be choosers but it is essential for rugby's growth in Tier 2 countries and below that the IRB spend its money as efficiently as possible. If they are wasting money on something that is ill-conceived like this competition, that money could be going elsewhere to grow the game, whether in North America or anywhere.