2016 Pacific Nations Cup / Georgia tour (Samoa, Tonga, Fiji)
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<p>I'm not just looking forward to the All Blacks' June series v Wales, but also to the upcoming matches of our Pacific neighbours, including those against Georgia. Information about these games is a bit difficult to find, so I've written it down below for anyone who's interested.</p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>2016 Pacific Nations Cup</em></strong></span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Participating nations: Samoa, Fiji and Tonga.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2016 and 2017, Canada, Japan and USA won’t participate in the PNC because of the qualification process for the RWC 2019. </span></span><br>
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<ul class="bbc"><li><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Two Oceania qualifiers: </strong>Two teams to qualify for RWC 2019 from a Pacific Nations Cup played on a home and away basis over June 2016 and 2017 – <strong>Oceania 1 and 2</strong></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Two Americas qualifiers:</strong> Canada and USA will play home and away with the winner on aggregate qualifying for RWC 2019. The loser will play home and away against the top-ranked South American team (excluding Argentina) with the winner on aggregate qualifying for RWC 2019. The loser of this match qualifies for the repechage tournament – <strong>Americas 1 and 2</strong></span></span></li>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/process'><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/process</span></span></a></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Japan has already automatically qualified for the RWC 2019 (third place in 2015 RWC pool).</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This 2016 PNC tournament doubles as Round 1 of the Oceania RWC 2019 Qualifier.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sat 11 June, 3.00pm (NZT): Fiji v Tonga (Suva)</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sat 18 June, 6.00pm (NZT): Fiji v Samoa (Suva)</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sat 25 June, 2.00pm (NZT): Samoa v Tonga (Apia)</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Georgia tour</em></strong></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sat 11 June, 2.00pm: Samoa v Georgia (Apia)</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sat 18 June, 12.00pm: Tonga v Georgia (Suva)</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sat 25 June, 3.00pm: Fiji v Georgia</span></span></p> -
<p><strong>Fijian team</strong> for the 2016 Pacific Nations Cup and Test Match against Georgia:</p>
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<p>Campese Ma’afu, Peni Ravai, Sunia Koto, Viliame Veikeso, Jale Sassen, Leeroy Atalifo, Taniela Koroi, Mesake Doge, Leone Nakawara, Tevita Cavubati, Api Ratuniyarawa, Nemia Soqeta, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Malakai Ravulo, Eremasi Radrodro, Henry Senioli, Nemia Kenatale, Serupepeli Vularika, <strong>Ben Volavola</strong>, Seremaia Bai, Eroni Vasiteri, Vereniki Goneva, Waisea Nayacalevu, John Stewart, <strong>Patrick Osborne</strong>, Savenaca Rawaca, Benito Masilevu, Kini Murimurivalu</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.fijirugby.com/latest-news/vodafone-flying-fijians-named-for-june-test-series/'>http://www.fijirugby.com/latest-news/vodafone-flying-fijians-named-for-june-test-series/</a></p>
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<p>Interestingly, no Nemani Nadolo and Jone Macilai (they were named in the <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.fijirugby.com/latest-news/mckee-names-extended-squad-for-june-tests/'>extended squad</a> on 28 April).</p> -
Thanks SG.<br><br>
Good info.<br><br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="581661" data-time="1463920522"><p>
Japan has already automatically qualified for the RWC 2019 (third place in 2015 RWC pool).</p></blockquote>
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Would be there regardless of where they finished in the pool ... -
<p style="color:rgb(68,68,68);font-family:'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><strong><u>Samoa squad</u></strong></p>
<p style="color:rgb(68,68,68);font-family:'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><strong>Forwards: </strong>Sakaria Taulafo, James Johnson, Census Johnson, Viliamu Afatia, Jake Grey, Sam Aiono, Nuuuli Lene*, Motu Matu'u, Manu Leiataua, Seilala Lam*, Teofilo Paulo, Faatiga Lemalu, Piula Faasalele, Talaga Alofipo*, Jeff Lepa*, Jack Lam, TJ Ioane, Alafoti Faosiliva, Faifili Levave, Oneone Faafou, Greg Foe*, Elia Elia*</p>
<p style="color:rgb(68,68,68);font-family:'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><strong>Backs: </strong>Pele Cowley, Auvasa Falealii*, Dwayne Polataivao*, Tusiata Pisi, Michael Stanley, Patrick Faapale, Dangelo Leuila*, Rey Lee-Lo, Winston Stanley, Faialaga Afamasaga, Isaia Petelo*, Malu Falaniko*, Paul Perez, Faatoina Autagavaia, David Lemi, Alofa Alofa, Tim Nanai Williams, Danny Tusitala*</p>
<p style="color:rgb(68,68,68);font-family:'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><em>*Indicates non capped players</em></p>
<p style="color:rgb(68,68,68);font-family:'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><strong>Players unavailable for seletion due to injury or family reasons are:</strong> George Pisi (injury-knee), Johnny Leota (family), Vavae Tuilagi (injury-broken leg), Logovii Mulipola (injury-knee), Ahsee Tuala (inury-hip), Alapati Leiua (injury-knee), Ken Pisi (player fatigue), Ofisa Treviranus (injury-shoulder), Anthony Perenise (family), Wayne Ole Avei (injury-shoulder), Kahn Fotuali'i (family), and Paul Williams (family).</p> -
I was just today reading a Wellington club rugby match report from the weekend where it appeared Greg Foe was tearing it up.