Japan to Host IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2012

Preparations for Japan's staging of Rugby World Cup 2019 have been further boosted after the International Rugby Board confirmed that the 2012 IRB Pacific Nations Cup will be hosted by the Japan Rugby Football Union.

The announcement comes off the back of the JRFU's successful hosting of the Tokyo leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series - the first international Sevens event to be hosted in the country in 11 years. It is also a strong endorsement of the Union's operational and organisational skills as Rugby World Cup 2019 planning and preparation continues to advance on track.

The 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup was moved from Japan to allow the Union to concentrate on assisting those affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March last year.

Five of the six matches will be played in Japan with double-headers featuring in the first two rounds of matches giving fans the opportunity to see the stars from all four teams.

The opening matchday on 5 June will see Samoa v Tonga (17:10 local time) and Fiji v Japan (19:10) in Nagoya while the second matchday will take place on 10 June in Tokyo with Fiji v Samoa (12:10) and Japan v Tonga (14:10). The final round will be split over two weeks to accommodate Scotland's tour to the Pacific Islands with Samoa v Japan in Tokyo on June 17 (14:10) and Fiji v Tonga rounding off the action in Lautoka, Fiji on 23 June (15:40).

“We are delighted that Japan is to host this major international championship. The awarding of this event not only underscores the great appetite for showcase rugby events in Japan, but also demonstrates the JRFU's intentions to reach out to new rugby fans across Japan and wider Asia as we look towards Rugby World Cup 2019,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset. “These are exciting times for rugby in Asia and the Pacific Islands. The IRB Pacific Nations Cup was introduced in 2006 to provide an expanded high-level competition calendar for Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga and therefore increase the competitiveness of Rugby World Cup. In that regard it has been a success story for the IRB and Participating Unions, demonstrating that our strategic investment programme is working. The IRB Pacific Nations Cup is now a hugely anticipated event in the rugby calendar in its own right.”

Growing the game in Asia is a key priority for the IRB ahead of Rugby World Cup 2019.

Japan Rugby Football Union Chairman Tatsuzo Yabe said, “These are exciting times for Rugby in Japan and throughout Asia and I am delighted that the Japan Rugby Football Union will host this year’s IRB Pacific Nations Cup, one year after the difficult decision was taken to relocate the tournament following the Tohoku earthquake. This will be a tournament for the people of Japan in memory of all who tragically lost their lives and were affected.”

The IRB Pacific Nations Cup dovetails with the sister IRB Pacific Rugby Cup to deliver a local player and coach development pathway for the Pacific Island Nations. This year A sides from each of the three nations have played against Super Rugby development team opposition in Australia and New Zealand. The competition resumes in October with the final round robin matches between the island teams.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airline Traffic, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Pictures, Sports Tourism, Videos, Rugby, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Japan