Pacific Nations Cup 2025: Dates, Where to Watch, Squad Lists & First Round Preview

The 2025 Pacific Nations Cup is set to begin this weekend, with a lot at stake in one of the most competitive international tournaments that rugby has to offer.

Canada faces the USA while Tonga have Samoa to contend with in the first round of fixtures, as both games are set to take place in the early hours of the morning in the UK.

It doubles as a direct route to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with the top three teams securing qualification, excluding Fiji and Japan, who have already booked their spots in the 24-team tournament.

Whoever finishes bottom of the competition may also qualify, as they will face the Sudamerica Rugby Championship 2025 runners-up in a play-off to determine who qualifies for the World Cup. The loser of that game will then have another opportunity to qualify in the Final Qualification Tournament.

Here are all the details you need to know about the tournament ahead of its start, as Charlie Elliott looks through the fixtures, squad lists and where to watch.

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First Round Preview

Because each group is made up of three teams, Fiji in Pool A and Japan in Pool B won’t be featured on the first weekend. That means that the four teams that haven’t yet qualified for the 2027 World Cup will face off in the first round of fixtures.

Canada v USA – McMahon Stadium, Calgary (2:00am UK time)

The Pacific Nations Cup Pool B opener between Canada and the USA is loaded with high stakes. Beyond the bragging rights of North American supremacy, this match could play a decisive role in the path to World Cup qualification.

Canada’s new coach, Steve Meehan, takes charge of his first PNC campaign, aiming to restore the country to the World Cup stage after missing out in France 2023.

His side will be fired up by the chance to set a strong tone for the tournament. On the other side, Scott Lawrence leads the USA, with the Eagles chasing the next step in their Moonshot 2031 plan, targeting a quarter-final appearance in 2027.

Both teams know an opening-day defeat won’t be terminal, but winning here could significantly ease their qualification route. Expect a tense, physical clash as neighbours vie for early advantage.

Tonga v Samoa – Te’ufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa (3:00am UK time)

Tonga and Samoa kick off their Pool A campaigns with Rugby World Cup qualification firmly in mind.

Tonga arrives in Nuku’alofa off a strong warm-up performance, a six-try 38-19 win over the Queensland Reds, while Samoa are looking to recover from a heavy 41-14 loss to Scotland in Auckland.

With Fiji already assured of a World Cup spot, both Pacific sides know that a first-up victory is crucial to staying in contention for one of the remaining direct qualification places.

Historically, these teams have been mainstays on the World Cup stage, and neither wants to start their PNC journey with a setback. Expect a physical and fast-paced battle, with both sides looking to assert themselves early in front of their home fans.

Momentum gained here could prove decisive for their hopes of reaching Australia in 2027.

Where to Watch

All matches of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup will be accessible worldwide via local broadcast partners and streaming on RugbyPass TV. For those in the UK and Ireland, RugbyPass TV is the place to watch all the action.

Pacific Nations Cup Fixtures:

Week 1

Friday, 22 August: Canada v USA – Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Saturday, 23 August: Tonga v Samoa – Teufaiva Sport Stadium, Nuku’alofa, Tonga

Week 2

Saturday, 30 August: Fiji v Tonga – HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji
Saturday, 30 August: Japan v Canada – Sendai Yurtec Stadium, Sendai, Japan

Week 3

Saturday, 6 September: Samoa v Fiji – Rotorua, New Zealand
Saturday, 6 September: USA v Japan – Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California

Finals Week

Sunday, 14 September – Semi-finals (DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, Denver, Colorado)
Fifth v Sixth play-off (Men’s RWC 2027 qualifier) A3 v B3
Semi-final 1: A2 v B1
Semi-final 2: A1 v B2

Saturday, 20 September – Finals (America First Field, Salt Lake City, Utah):

Samoa Squad

Backs: Joel Lam, Melani Matavao, Connor Tupai, Rodney Iona, D’Angelo Leuila, Jacob Umaga, Afa Moleli, Melani Nanai, Duncan Paia’aua, Henry Taefu, Elisapeta Alofipo, Tomaso Alosio, Taunu’u Niulevaea, Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong, Tuna Tuitama

Forwards: Titi Lamositele, Aki Seiuli, Kaynan Siteine-Tua, Pita Anae-Ah Sue, Leif Schwencke, Luteru Tolai, Michael Ala’alatoa, Bradley Amituanai, Marco Fepulea’i, Tietie Tuimauga, Michael Curry, Ben Nee-Nee, Sam Slade, Malaesaili Elato, Niko Jones, Iakopo Mapu, Jonah Mau’u, Theo McFarland, Olajuwon Noa, Taleni Seu

Japan Squad

Backs: Shuntaro Kitamura, Kenta Fukuda, Shinobu Fujiwara, Ichigo Nakakusu, Seungsin Lee, Charlie Lawrence, Shogo Nakano, Yuya Hirose, Dylan Riley, Kippei Ishida, Tomoki Osada, Haruto Kida, Malo Tuitama, Sam Greene, Jingo Takenoshita

Forwards: Yota Kamimori, Kenta Kobayashi, Sena Kimura, Hayate Era, Kenji Sato, Mamoru Harada, Sanshiro Kihara, Shuhei Takeuchi, Keijiro Tamefusa, Shohei Ito, Epineri Uluiviti, Waisake Raratubua, Warner Dearns, Shu Yamamoto, Akito Okui, Ben Gunter, Amanaki Saumaki, Jack Cornelsen, Kanji Shimokawa, Tiennan Costley, Amato Fakatava, Faulua Makisi, Ryosuke Iwaihara

Tonga Squad

Backs: James Faiva, Nikolai Foliaki, Aisea Halo, Uilisi Halaholo, Fine Inisi, Solomone Kata, Fetuli Paea, Patrick Pellegrini, Salesi Piutau, Augustine Pulu, Sosefo Sakalia, Sonatane Takulua, John Tapueluelu, Josiah Unga

Forwards: Tupou Afungia, Kelemete Finau, Halaleva Fifita, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Jay Fonokalafi, Fe’ao Fotu’aika, Tanginoa Halaifonua, Lotu Inisi, Fotu Lokotui, Siua Maile, Harison Mataele, Siosiua Moala, Samuela Moli, Ben Tameifuna, Salesi Tu’ifua, Solomone Tukuafu

USA Squad

Backs: Nate Augspurger, Dominic Besag, Tommaso Boni, Noah Brown, Ruben de Haas, Toby Fricker, Lauina Futi, Chris Hilsenback, Tavite Lopeti, AJ MacGinty, Rufus McLean, Ethan McVeigh, Tom Pittman, JP Smith, Erich Storti, Mitch Wilson

Forwards: Makeen Alikhan, Benjamin Bonasso (captain), Jason Damm, Cory Daniel, Pono Davis, Kaleb Geiger, Viliami Helu, Jack Iscaro, Shilo Klein, Tonga Kofe, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Nafi Ma’afu, Alec McDonnell, Tevita Naqali, Maliu Niuafe, Kapeli Pifeleti, Christian Poidevin, Payton Telea-Ilalio, Marno Redelinghuys, Rick Rose, Paddy Ryan, Jake Turnbull, Lance Williams

Canada Squad

Backs: Nic Benn, Brenden Black, Cooper Coats, Noah Flesch, Brock Gallagher, Jason Higgins, Spencer Jones, Kainoa Lloyd, Josiah Morra, Talon McMullin, Peter Nelson, Shane O’Leary, Isaac Olson, Ben LeSage, Stephen Webb

Forwards: Callum Botchar, Austin Creighton, Foster DeWitt, Mason Flesch, Matt Heaton, Karl Hunger, Alexandre Janlin, Izzak Kelly, Cole Keith, Dewald Kotze, Jesse Mackail, Calixto Martinez, Matthew Oworu, Siôn Parry, Emerson Prior, Lucas Rumball, Kyle Steeves, Piers von Dadelszen, Conor Young

Fiji Squad

Backs: Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Philip Baselala, Simione Kuruvoli, Ponipate Loganimasi, Caleb Muntz, Semi Radradra, Taniela Rakuro, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Inia Tabuavou, Seta Tamanivalu, Kemu Valentini, Sam Wye

Forwards: Elia Canakaivata, Mesake Doge, Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Viliame Mata, Eroni Mawi, Motikai Murray, Temo Mayanavanua, Isoa Nasilasila, Kitione Salawa, Samu Tawake, Zuriel Togiatama, Meli Tuni, Isoa Tuwai, Mesake Vocevoce, Etonia Waqa

By Charlie Elliott