2016 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup

The 2016 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup was the eleventh edition of the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup (formerly known as the IRB Pacific Nations Cup), an annual international rugby union tournament. The 2016 title was contested by the Pacific nations of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Fiji won title and was undefeated in the two matches the team played.

2016 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup
Tournament details
Countries Fiji
 Samoa
 Tonga
Tournament format(s)Round-robin
Date11–25 June 2016
Tournament statistics
Teams3
Matches played3
Tries scored12 (4 per match)
Top point scorer(s)Fiji Seremaia Bai (24)
Top try scorer(s)8 players with 1 try
Final
Champions Fiji (3rd title)
← 2015 (Previous)
(Next) 2017 →

Teams competing in previous years, Canada, Japan and the United States were not scheduled to participate in the tournament for 2016 and 2017 due to the 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifying format. The top two teams on aggregate across the 2016 and 2017 Pacific Nations Cups qualified for Japan 2019,[1] with the team finishing third scheduled to enter the repechage for qualification.[2]

Table edit

Rank Team Games Points Tries Try Bonus Losing Bonus Table Points
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff For Against
1   Fiji 2 2 0 0 49 34 +15 5 3 0 0 8
2   Samoa 2 1 0 1 46 36 10 4 3 0 0 4
3   Tonga 2 0 0 2 28 53 –25 3 6 0 1 1
Points breakdown:
  • 4 points for a win
  • 2 points for a draw
  • 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less
  • 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match

Fixtures edit

The full match schedule was announced on 19 February 2015.[3]

Round 1 edit

11 June 2016
15:00 FJT (UTC+12)
Fiji  23–18  Tonga
Try: Volavola 45' c
Soqeta 50' m
Radrodro 74' m
Con: Bai (1/3) 46'
Pen: Bai (2/2) 58', 71'
Report[4]Try: Iongi 27' c
Takulua 30' m
Con: Takulua (1/2) 28'
Pen: Takulua (2/2) 20', 56'
ANZ National Stadium, Suva
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
FB 15 Samisoni Viriviri
RW 14 Patrick Osborne   53'
OC 13 Vereniki Goneva
IC 12 Seremaia Bai
LW 11 Adriu Delai   67'
FH 10 Ben Volavola
SH 9 Nemia Kenatale   66'
N8 8 Nemia Soqeta   55'
OF 7 Malakai Ravulo   12'
BF 6 Naulia Dawai
RL 5 Leone Nakarawa
LL 4 Tevita Cavubati
TP 3 Lee Roy Atalifo   67'
HK 2 Sunia Koto (c)
LP 1 Campese Ma'afu   74'
Replacements:
HK 16 Viliame Veikoso
PR 17 Peni Ravai   74'
PR 18 Taniela Koroi   67'
LK 19 Savenaca Tabakanalagi   55'
N8 20 Eremasi Radrodro   12'
SH 21 Henry Seniloli   66'
SH 22 Serupepeli Vularika   67'
WG 23 Benito Masilevu   53'
Coach:
  John McKee
FB 15 David Halaifonua   34' to 45'
RW 14 Viliame Iongi
OC 13 Nafi Tuitavake   26'
IC 12 Viliami Hakalo   67'
LW 11 Daniel Kilioni
FH 10 Latiume Fosita
SH 9 Sonatane Takulua
N8 8 Sione Kalamafoni   40'
OF 7 Jack Ram
BF 6 Nili Latu (c)
RL 5 Uili Koloʻofai
LL 4 Daniel Faleafa   67'
TP 3 Sione Faletau   53'
HK 2 Elvis Taione   60'
LP 1 Eddie Aholelei   58'   73'
Replacements:
HK 16 Sione Anga’aelangi   60'
PR 17 Kama Sakalia   58'   73'
PR 18 Fusi Malimali   53'
FL 19 Opeti Fonua   67'
FL 20 Sione Tau   40'
SH 21 Wayne Ngaluafe
CE 22 Apakuki Ma’afu   26'
FB 23 Kali Hala   67'
Coach:
  Toutai Kefu

Touch judges:
Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Brendan Pickerill (New Zealand)

Notes:

Round 2 edit

18 June 2016
15:00 FJT (UTC+12)
Fiji  26–16  Samoa
Try: Koto 39' c
Osborne 77' c
Con: Bai (2/2) 40', 78'
Pen: Bai (4/4) 2', 41', 46', 62'
Report[5]Try: Matu'u 33' c
Con: Pisi (1/1) 34'
Pen: Pisi (3/4) 6', 22', 27'
ANZ National Stadium, Suva
Attendance: 2,063
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
FB 15 Samisoni Viriviri
RW 14 Waisea Nayacalevu   26' to 36'
OC 13 Vereniki Goneva
IC 12 Eroni Vasiteri   52'
LW 11 Patrick Osborne
FH 10 Seremaia Bai
SH 9 Henry Seniloli   51'
N8 8 Eremasi Radrodro
OF 7 Naulia Dawai
BF 6 Leone Nakarawa   78'
RL 5 Tevita Cavubati
LL 4 Api Ratuniyarawa   49'
TP 3 Lee Roy Atalifo   63'
HK 2 Sunia Koto (c)
LP 1 Campese Ma'afu   70'
Replacements:
HK 16 Viliame Veikoso
PR 17 Peni Ravai   70'
PR 18 Taniela Koroi   63'
FL 19 Nemia Soqeta   49'
N8 20 Mosese Voka   78'
SH 21 Serupepeli Vularika   51'
FH 22 Ben Volavola   52'
WG 23 Benito Masilevu
Coach:
  John McKee
FB 15 Albert Nikoro
RW 14 Fa'atoina Autagavaia
OC 13 Rey Lee-Lo
IC 12 Faialaga Afamasaga
LW 11 David Lemi (c)
FH 10 Tusi Pisi   49'
SH 9 Dwayne Polataivao   58'
N8 8 Alafoti Fa'osiliva
OF 7 Greg Foe
BF 6 Faifili Levave   47'
RL 5 Filo Paulo
LL 4 Fa'atiga Lemalu
TP 3 James Johnston   30'
HK 2 Motu Matu'u   47'
LP 1 Sakaria Taulafo   69'
Replacements:
HK 16 Manu Leiataua   47'
PR 17 Sam Aiono   30'
PR 18 Census Johnston   69'
FL 19 Jeff Lepa
N8 20 TJ Ioane   47'
SH 21 Pele Cowley   58'
FH 22 Patrick Fa'apale   49'
WG 23 Malu Falaniko
Coach:
  Alama Ieremia

Touch judges:
JP Doyle (Ireland)
James Leckie (Australia)

Notes:

Round 3 edit

25 June 2016
15:00 WST (UTC+13)
Samoa  30–10  Tonga
Try: Penalty try 7' c
Lepa 11' c
Tusitala 77' c
Con: Fa'apale (2/2) 9', 11'
Leuila (1/1) 78'
Pen: Fa'apale (3/5) 16', 29', 33'
Report[6]Try: Fonua 61' c
Con: Takulua (1/1) 61'
Pen: Takulua (1/2) 13'
Apia Park, Apia
Attendance: 5,500
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
FB 15 Malu Falaniko
RW 14 Fa'atoina Autagavaia
OC 13 Paul Perez
IC 12 Rey Lee-Lo
LW 11 David Lemi (c)
FH 10 Patrick Fa'apale   40'
SH 9 Pele Cowley   55'
N8 8 Alafoti Fa'osiliva   68'
OF 7 Greg Foe
BF 6 Faifili Levave   55'
RL 5 Fa'atiga Lemalu
LL 4 Jeff Lepa   49'
TP 3 Census Johnston   40'
HK 2 Manu Leiataua   49'
LP 1 Sakaria Taulafo
Replacements:
HK 16 Seilala Lam   49'
PR 17 Sam Aiono   68'
PR 18 Viliamu Afatia   65' to 75'   40'
LK 19 Filo Paulo   49'
N8 20 TJ Ioane   55'
WG 21 Danny Tusitala   55'
FB 22 D'angelo Leuila   40'
FB 23 Albert Nikoro
Coach:
  Alama Ieremia
FB 15 David Halaifonua   44' to 54'
RW 14 Otulea Katoa   7' to 17'
OC 13 Apakuki Ma’afu
IC 12 Latiume Fosita
LW 11 Viliame Iongi
FH 10 Martin Naufahu   40'
SH 9 Sonatane Takulua
N8 8 Sione Kalamafoni
OF 7 Jack Ram   35'
BF 6 Nili Latu (c)
RL 5 Uili Koloʻofai   50'
LL 4 Daniel Faleafa
TP 3 Sila Puafisi   68'
HK 2 Elvis Taione   70'
LP 1 Kama Sakalia   68'
Replacements:
HK 16 Sione Anga’aelangi   70'
PR 17 Eddie Aholelei   68'
PR 18 Sione Faletau   68'
FL 19 Opeti Fonua   50'
FL 20 Sione Tau   35'
SH 21 Wayne Ngaluafe
FB 22 Viliami Hakalo   40'
WG 23 Daniel Kilioni
Coach:
  Toutai Kefu

Touch judges:
JP Doyle (Ireland)
James Leckie (Australia)

Notes:

Squads edit

Nation Head coach Captain
  Fiji   John McKee Sunia Koto
  Samoa   Alama Ieremia David Lemi
  Tonga   Toutai Kefu Nili Latu

Note: Number of caps and players' ages are indicated as of 11 June 2016 – the tournament's opening day, pre first tournament match.

Fiji edit

On 20 May, Head Coach John McKee announced a 28-man squad for the Pacific Nations Cup and their June test against Georgia.[7]

On 7 June, Samisoni Viriviri joined the squad.[8]

Winger Adriu Delai and lock Savenaca Tabakanalagi were late additions to the squad ahead of the Tongan fixture on 11 June.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Sunia Koto (c) Hooker (1980-04-15)15 April 1980 (aged 36) 46   Narbonne
Jale Sassen Hooker (1992-09-06)6 September 1992 (aged 23) 0   Suva
Viliame Veikoso Hooker (1982-04-04)4 April 1982 (aged 34) 32   Doncaster
Lee Roy Atalifo Prop (1988-03-10)10 March 1988 (aged 28) 4   Rovigo Delta
Mesake Doge Prop (1993-04-01)1 April 1993 (aged 23) 0   Naitasiri
Taniela Koroi Prop (1990-02-08)February 8, 1990 (aged 26) 3   Mogliano
Campese Ma'afu Prop (1984-12-19)19 December 1984 (aged 31) 39   Provence
Peni Ravai Prop (1990-06-16)16 June 1990 (aged 25) 13   Nadroga
Tevita Cavubati Lock (1987-08-12)12 August 1987 (aged 28) 12   Worcester
Leone Nakarawa Lock (1988-04-02)2 April 1988 (aged 28) 35   Glasgow Warriors
Savenaca Tabakanalagi Lock (1986-08-31)31 August 1986 (aged 29) 0   Strasbourg
Api Ratuniyarawa Lock (1986-07-11)11 July 1986 (aged 29) 18   Agen
Malakai Ravulo Flanker (1983-09-22)22 September 1983 (aged 32) 36   Steaua București
Nemia Soqeta Flanker (1985-03-04)4 March 1985 (aged 31) 9   Biarritz Olympique
Dominiko Waqaniburotu Flanker (1986-04-20)20 April 1986 (aged 30) 27   Brive
Eremasi Radrodro Number 8 0   Nadroga
Nemia Kenatale Scrum-half (1986-01-21)21 January 1986 (aged 30) 37   Farul Constanța
Henry Seniloli Scrum-half (1989-06-15)15 June 1989 (aged 26) 10   Tailevu
Serupepeli Vularika Scrum-half 0   Suva
Seremaia Bai Fly-half (1979-01-04)4 January 1979 (aged 37) 50   Leicester Tigers
Ben Volavola Fly-half (1991-01-13)13 January 1991 (aged 25) 9   Crusaders
Vereniki Goneva Centre (1984-04-05)5 April 1984 (aged 32) 39   Leicester Tigers
John Stewart Centre (1988-02-17)17 February 1988 (aged 28) 0   Sunwolves
Eroni Vasiteri Centre (1989-05-21)21 May 1989 (aged 27) 0   Agen
Adriu Delai Wing (1984-06-11)11 June 1984 (aged 32) 12   Stade Montois
Benito Masilevu Wing (1989-10-07)7 October 1989 (aged 26) 1   Brive
Waisea Nayacalevu Wing (1990-06-26)26 June 1990 (aged 25) 13   Stade Français
Patrick Osborne Wing (1987-06-14)14 June 1987 (aged 28) 0   Highlanders
Savenaca Rawaca Wing (1991-08-20)20 August 1991 (aged 24) 0   Fiji Sevens
Samisoni Viriviri Wing (1988-04-25)25 April 1988 (aged 28) 0   Montauban
Kini Murimurivalu Fullback (1989-05-15)15 May 1989 (aged 27) 13   La Rochelle

Samoa edit

On 10 May, Head Coach Alama Ieremia announced a 40-man extended squad for the Pacific Nations Cup and their June test against Georgia.[9]

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Seilala Lam Hooker (1989-02-18)February 18, 1989 (aged 27) 0   Nevers
Manu Leiataua Hooker (1986-12-26)December 26, 1986 (aged 29) 9   Aurillac
Motu Matu'u Hooker (1987-04-30)April 30, 1987 (aged 29) 31   Hurricanes
Viliamu Afatia Prop (1990-05-24)May 24, 1990 (aged 26) 14   Agen
Sam Aiono Prop (1989-04-07)April 7, 1989 (aged 27) 1   Bobbay
Jake Grey Prop (1984-02-17)February 17, 1984 (aged 32) 4   SCOPA
Census Johnston Prop (1981-05-06)May 6, 1981 (aged 35) 52   Toulouse
James Johnston Prop (1986-03-06)March 6, 1986 (aged 30) 14   Worcester Warriors
Nu'uuli Lene Prop (1980-02-04)February 4, 1980 (aged 36) 0   Oriental Rongotai
Sakaria Taulafo Prop (1983-01-29)January 29, 1983 (aged 33) 40   Stade Français
Talaga Alofipo Lock (1992-11-21)November 21, 1992 (aged 23) 0   Vaimoso
Piula Fa'asalele Lock (1988-01-22)January 22, 1988 (aged 28) 5   Castres Olympique
Fa'atiga Lemalu Lock (1989-04-17)April 17, 1989 (aged 27) 15   Sunwolves
Filo Paulo Lock (1987-11-06)November 6, 1987 (aged 28) 22   Benetton Treviso
Oneone Fa'afou Flanker (1992-06-02)June 2, 1992 (aged 24) 2   Vaiala
Alafoti Fa'osiliva Flanker (1985-10-28)October 28, 1985 (aged 30) 15   Bath
Greg Foe Flanker (1991-12-17)December 17, 1991 (aged 24) 0   Poneke
Jack Lam Flanker (1987-11-18)November 18, 1987 (aged 28) 19   Bristol
Jeff Lepa Flanker (1991-10-09)October 9, 1991 (aged 24) 0   Waimea Old Boys
Faifili Levave Flanker (1986-01-15)January 15, 1986 (aged 30) 10   Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars
Elia Elia Number 8 (1996-01-22)January 22, 1996 (aged 20) 0   St Thomas College
TJ Ioane Number 8 (1989-05-09)May 9, 1989 (aged 27) 8   Sale Sharks
Pele Cowley Scrum-half (1993-04-16)April 16, 1993 (aged 23) 4   Pukekohe
Auvasa Faleali'i Scrum-half (1990-02-09)February 9, 1990 (aged 26) 0   Nevers
Dwayne Polataivao Scrum-half (1990-07-30)July 30, 1990 (aged 25) 0   Pakuranga United
Patrick Fa'apale Fly-half (1991-05-03)May 3, 1991 (aged 25) 7   Fiamme Oro
Tusi Pisi Fly-half (1982-06-18)June 18, 1982 (aged 33) 25   Sunwolves
Michael Stanley Fly-half (1989-12-29)December 29, 1989 (aged 26) 8   Old Elthamians
Faialaga Afamasaga Centre (1989-03-05)March 5, 1989 (aged 27) 3   Apia
Rey Lee-Lo Centre (1986-02-20)February 20, 1986 (aged 30) 6   Cardiff Blues
Paul Perez Centre (1986-07-26)July 26, 1986 (aged 29) 15   Toulouse
Winston Stanley Centre (1989-02-11)February 11, 1989 (aged 27) 2   Harlequins
Alofa Alofa Wing (1991-03-12)March 12, 1991 (aged 25) 3   La Rochelle
Fa'atoina Autagavaia Wing (1988-09-18)September 18, 1988 (aged 27) 18   Nevers
Malu Falaniko Wing (1995-07-18)July 18, 1995 (aged 20) 0   Vaiala
David Lemi (c) Wing (1982-02-10)February 10, 1982 (aged 34) 42   Bristol
Isaia Petelo Wing 0   Marist St Pats
Danny Tusitala Wing (1991-10-18)October 18, 1991 (aged 24) 0   Ponsonby
D'angelo Leuila Fullback (1997-01-18)January 18, 1997 (aged 19) 0   Papatoetoe
Tim Nanai-Williams Fullback (1989-06-12)June 12, 1989 (aged 26) 5   Ricoh Black Rams
Albert Nikoro Fullback (1992-08-07)August 7, 1992 (aged 23) 0   Western Force

Tonga edit

On 3 June, head coach Toutai Kefu announced a 28-man squad ahead of Tonga's June test against Georgia and the Pacific Nations Cup.[10]

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Sione Angaʻaelangi Hooker (1998-11-07)7 November 1998 (aged 17) 0   Karaka
Elvis Taione Hooker (1983-05-25)25 May 1983 (aged 33) 21   Exeter Chiefs
Eddie Aholelei Prop (1981-12-03)3 December 1981 (aged 34) 6   London Welsh
Sione Faletau Prop (1988-06-20)20 June 1988 (aged 27) 0   Sydenham
Fusi Malimali Prop (1990-10-01)1 October 1990 (aged 25) 0 Unattached
Sila Puafisi Prop (1988-04-15)15 April 1988 (aged 28) 23   Glasgow Warriors
Kama Sakalia Prop (1985-08-23)23 August 1985 (aged 30) 6   Marist 'Apifo'ou
Ben Tameifuna Prop (1991-08-30)30 August 1991 (aged 24) 0   Racing 92
Daniel Faleafa Lock (1989-02-13)13 February 1989 (aged 27) 4   Albi
Uili Koloʻofai Lock (1982-09-29)29 September 1982 (aged 33) 5   Jersey Reds
Opeti Fonua Flanker (1986-05-26)26 May 1986 (aged 30) 8   Leicester Tigers
Sione Kalamafoni Flanker (1988-05-18)18 May 1988 (aged 28) 29   Gloucester
Nili Latu (c) Flanker (1982-02-19)19 February 1982 (aged 34) 43   Newcastle Falcons
Jack Ram Flanker (1987-01-14)14 January 1987 (aged 29) 5   Blues
Sione Tau Flanker (1989-02-21)21 February 1989 (aged 27) 0   Agen
Viliami Fihaki Number 8 (1987-01-17)17 January 1987 (aged 29) 8   Sale Sharks
Mikaele Mafi Number 8 (1987-05-29)29 May 1987 (aged 29) 0   Southern
Wayne Ngaluafe Scrum-half (1988-10-13)13 October 1988 (aged 27) 0   West Harbour
Sonatane Takulua Scrum-half (1991-01-11)11 January 1991 (aged 25) 14   Newcastle Falcons
Latiume Fosita Fly-half (1992-07-25)25 July 1992 (aged 23) 15   Papatoetoe
Martin Naufahu Fly-half (1990-07-08)8 July 1990 (aged 25) 0   Footscray
Otulea Katoa Centre (1991-04-26)26 April 1991 (aged 25) 7   Edinburgh
Apakuki Maʻafu Centre (1987-10-03)3 October 1987 (aged 28) 0   Randwick
Nafi Tuitavake Centre (1989-01-29)29 January 1989 (aged 27) 0   Narbonne
David Halaifonua Wing (1987-07-05)5 July 1987 (aged 28) 15   Gloucester
Viliame Iongi Wing (1989-08-08)8 August 1989 (aged 26) 18   San Francisco Rush
Daniel Kilioni Wing (1993-02-22)22 February 1993 (aged 23) 0   Grenoble
Viliami Hakalo Fullback (1987-04-12)12 April 1987 (aged 29) 6   Nottingham
Kali Hala Fullback (1991-03-06)6 March 1991 (aged 25) 0   Karaka

References edit

  1. ^ rugbybworldcup.com. "Regional qualification process set for Rugby World Cup 2019". rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  2. ^ "Pacific nations get helping hand for 2019". All Blacks. Archived from the original on 2015-11-16. Retrieved 2015-11-15.
  3. ^ worldrugby.org. "World Rugby announces competitive June tier two schedule". worldrugby.org. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  4. ^ worldrugby.org. "Fiji battle back to win Pacific Nations Cup opener". worldrugby.org. Archived from the original on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  5. ^ rugbybworldcup.com. "Fiji win Pacific Nations Cup crown". rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  6. ^ rugbybworldcup.com. "Samoa end PNC 2016 on a high". rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  7. ^ "Fiji Rugby Union » Vodafone Flying Fijians Named for June Test Series". www.fijirugby.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  8. ^ "Viriviri, Goneva join team camp - Fiji Times Online". www.fijitimes.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  9. ^ "Ieremia names first Samoa squad - Planet Rugby". planetrugby.com. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  10. ^ "'Ikale Tahi team for Pacific Nations Cup". matangitonga.to. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2017.

External links edit