– Expanded competition set to thrill
– Rankings battle set to rage as RWC 2015 preparations underway
– Follow the buzz on @IRBmedia and @FORU_Inc
Rugby fans will be able to view free live streaming of the 2013 IRB Pacific Nations Cup, which kicks-off this weekend.
All the action can be viewed on IRB.com and begins with Japan v Tonga in Tokyo (14:10 local time) and Canada v USA in Edmonton (14:10 local time), in matches that will provide a strong form guide for the Rugby World Cup 2015 hopefuls.
In the expanded competition, Japan entertain Tonga in a match that will hone performances for Japan, ahead of two tests against RBS 6 Nations champions Wales and the final RWC 215 qualification push.
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The PNC should provide some interesting jostling for position on the IRB World Rankings with all five teams currently ranked within six places of each other. Tonga is the top-ranked team in the tournament in 11th place, followed by Fiji (13th), Canada (14th), Japan (15th) and USA (16th).
With the bulk of fixtures hosted in Japan, the PNC also provides the JRFU with important hosting experience as they build preparations towards hosting RWC 2019.
Speaking from Japan, IRB Chief Executive Brett Gosper said: “With 10 mouth-watering Test matches on offer and IRB World Rankings points at stake, the new-look IRB Pacific Nations Cup is set to excite and engage fans in Oceania, North America and around the world.”
“This is an important tournament for the IRB and the participating Unions with an expanded calendar aimed at providing the competition platform to benchmark as teams prepare for England 2015 and to continue to bridge the performance gap to the top Rugby nations.”
With social media increasingly engaging existing and new rugby audiences, fans can keep up to date with all the latest action via Twitter (@IRBmedia and @FORU_Inc) as well as IRB.com and IRB Total Rugby.
