The Pacific Nations Cup 2025 is set to deliver high-stakes rugby action, with the USA hosting the Finals Series for the first time. This marks a significant moment for North American rugby, as the top three teams in this competition will gain direct qualification for the Rugby World Cup 2027.
Restructured Tournament
PNC 2025 runs from 22nd August to 20th September and features six passionate rugby nations: Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Canada, Japan, and the USA. To minimise long-distance travel, the teams have been divided into regional pools, with defending champs Fiji in Pool A with Tonga and Somoa, and finals host USA in Pool B with Canada and Japan.
A Moment to Grow the Game
Hosting the PNC Finals Series comes at an opportune time for USA rugby. Major League Rugby (MLR) has seen a surge in popularity in the States over the last few years, helped in part by big signings, such as Perry Humphries, formerly of the liquidated Worcester Warriors, now playing for Old Glory RFC in Maryland
Rugby Union continues to grow in both the UK and USA, with TNT Sports reporting a 14 percent increase for the Premiership in 2024. Now the USA hopes to see a similar return thanks to the PNC and 2031 World Cup.
Key Fixtures and Rivalries
Canada and USA kick off the tournament with the inaugural game in Calgary on 22nd August. The two have competed against each other a total of 66 times, with Canada winning 39 tests for the USA’s 25. However, the last fixture was a convincing USA win, scoring 36 for Canada’s 15.
This is followed by Tonga v Samoa on 23rd August in Nuku’alofa. The match will see Tonga with the bit between their teeth, looking to set the record straight after being knocked out by Japan in 2024.
Defending champions Fiji begin their campaign against Tonga in Suva on 30th August. Again, Tonga would like to have a few words after their exit from last year’s tournament.
Japan’s Cherry Blossoms get their introduction to the tournament on 30th August as they host Canada in Sendai. Since beating in 2015, Japan’s reputation has waned with a series of successive defeats against top tier nations, but Eddie Jones will be looking to make a statement with their debut game against a potentially soft Canadian side.
All teams will be hungry to turn up in the tournament, making it a hard one to call at the moment. Any online casino can give odds on the favourites for each game and the overall winner, but with World Cup Qualification on the line, it could be anyone’s guess.
The revamped tournament looks like it has a lot to offer both neutral spectators and American rugby fans. Most importantly, hosting the finals for the first time is an excellent opportunity for the States to show their passion for the game, and, with direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup available for successful teams, it really is all to play for.