2017 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup

The 2017 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup was the twelfth edition of the Pacific Nations Cup annual international rugby union tournament. The 2017 title was contested solely by the Pacific nations of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

2017 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup
Tournament details
Countries Fiji
 Samoa
 Tonga
Tournament format(s)Round-robin
Date1–15 July 2017
Tournament statistics
Teams3
Matches played3
Attendance26,500 (8,833 per match)
Tries scored13 (4.33 per match)
Top point scorer(s) Sonatane Takulua (25)
Top try scorer(s) Henry Seniloli (3)
Final
Champions Fiji (4th title)
Runners-up Tonga

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

Having not hosted a test match since playing Fiji in June 2009, Tonga was given the go-ahead to host a test match with World Rugby's approval of the revamped Teufaiva Sport Stadium.[3]

Fiji retained their title to win for the third consecutive year.

Table
Rank Team Games Points Tries Try Bonus Losing Bonus Table Points
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff For Against
1 Fiji22005226+2662109
2 Tonga21014040+043015
3 Samoa20024268–2638011
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

The full match schedule was announced on 23 March 2017.[4]

Round 1
1 July 2017
15:00 TOT (UTC+13)
Tonga  30–26  Samoa
Try: Latu 13' c
Pakalani 17' c
Takulua 47' c
Con: Takulua (3/3) 14', 19', 49'
Pen: Takulua (3/3) 12', 33', 42'
 Report[5] Try: Levave 30' c
Leiua 65' c
Con: Pisi (2/2) 30', 66'
Pen: Pisi (4/4) 8', 21', 35', 44'
FB15Atieli Pakalani
RW14David Halaifonua
OC13Nafi Tuitavake
IC12Siale Piutau (c)
LW11Cooper Vuna 69'
FH10Latiume Fosita
SH9Sonatane Takulua
N88Valentino Mapapalangi 40'
OF7Nili Latu
BF6Daniel Faleafa
RL5Steve Mafi 66'
LL4Leva Fifita
TP3Siua Halanukonuka 61'
HK2Paul Ngauamo
LP1Siegfried Fisiihoi
Replacements:
HK16Suliasi Taufalele
PR17Latu Talakai
PR18Ben Tameifuna 61'
FL19Jack Ram 66'
FL20Michael Faleafa 40'
SH21Leon Fukofuka
FH22Kali Hala
CE23Tevita Taufu’i 69'
Coach:
Toutai Kefu
FB15Tim Nanai-Williams
RW14Alapati Leiua
OC13Kieron Fonotia 77'
IC12Rey Lee-Lo
LW11David Lemi (c)
FH10Tusi Pisi 66'
SH9Kahn Fotuali'i 74'
N88Faifili Levave
OF7Galu Taufale
BF6Piula Faʻasalele
RL5Fa'atiga Lemalu 61'
LL4Chris Vui
TP3Paul Alo-Emile
HK2Manu Leiataua 79'
LP1Nephi Leatigaga 56'
Replacements:
HK16Elia Elia 79'
PR17Jordan Lay 56'
PR18James Lay
LK19Masalosalo Tutaia 61'
FL20Taiasina Tuifu'au
SH21Auvasa Faleali’i 74'
FH22D'angelo Leuila 66'
CE23Henry Taefu 77'
Coach:
Alama Ieremia

Touch judges:
Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Paul Williams (New Zealand)

Notes:

  • This was Tonga's first home game since they played Fiji in 2009.
  • This was Tonga's first win over Samoa since they won 29–19 in 2011.
  • Siegfried Fisiihoi and Atieli Pakalani (both Tonga) and Auvasa Faleali’i, Jordan Lay, Henry Taefu and Masalosalo Tutaia (all Samoa) made their international debuts.
  • David Lemi (Samoa) earned his 50th test cap.

Round 2
8 July 2017
15:00 TOT (UTC+13)
Tonga  10–14  Fiji
Try: Fisiihoi 46' c
Con: Takulua (1/1) 47'
Pen: Takulua (1/2) 25'
 Report[6] Try: Nakarawa 53' m
Pen: Volavola (3/3) 14', 65', 72'
Teufaiva Sport Stadium, Nukuʻalofa
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
FB15Atieli Pakalani
RW14David Halaifonua 77'
OC13Siale Piutau (c)
IC12Tevita Taufu’i
LW11Cooper Vuna 77'
FH10Latiume Fosita
SH9Sonatane Takulua
N88Valentino Mapapalangi 72'
OF7Jack Ram 55'
BF6Daniel Faleafa 3' 11' 42' to 55'
RL5Steve Mafi
LL4Leva Fifita
TP3Siua Halanukonuka 55'
HK2Paul Ngauamo 72'
LP1Siegfried Fisiihoi 62'
Replacements:
HK16Suliasi Taufalele 72'
PR17Latu Talakai 62'
PR18Ben Tameifuna 55'
FL19Sione Tau 72'
FL20Michael Faleafa 3' 11' 42'
SH21Leon Fukofuka
FH22Kali Hala 77'
WG23Kiti Taimani Vaini 77'
Coach:
Toutai Kefu
FB15Timoci Nagusa
RW14Josua Tuisova 76'
OC13Asaeli Tikoirotuma 61'
IC12Jale Vatubua
LW11Patrick Osborne
FH10Ben Volavola
SH9Serupepeli Vularika 34'
N88Nemani Nagusa
OF7Akapusi Qera (c)
BF6Dominiko Waqaniburotu 61'
RL5Leone Nakarawa
LL4Tevita Cavubati 61'
TP3Manasa Saulo 51'
HK2Sunia Koto 40'
LP1Campese Ma'afu 51' 77'
Replacements:
HK16Talemaitoga Tuapati 40'
PR17Peni Ravai 51' 77'
PR18Kalivati Tawake 51'
LK19Api Ratuniyarawa 61'
FL20Viliame Mata 61'
SH21Henry Seniloli 34'
CE22Vereniki Goneva 61'
WG23Benito Masilevu 76'
Coach:
John McKee

Touch judges:
Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Marius Mitrea (Italy)

Notes:

  • Sione Tau (Tonga) made his international debut.
  • With this Result Fiji guaranteed qualification for the Rugby World Cup 2019 as Oceana 1.

Round 3
15 July 2017
14:00 WST (UTC+13)
Samoa  16–38  Fiji
Try: Lemi 20' c
Con: Pisi (1/1) 21'
Pen: Pisi (3/6) 27', 33', 37'
 Report[7] Try: Seniloli (3) 10' c, 23' c, 42' c
Vatubua 53' c
Ratuniyarawa 75' c
Con: Volavola (5/5) 11', 24', 43', 54', 76'
Pen: Volavola (1/1) 62'
Apia Park, Apia
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
FB15Tim Nanai-Williams
RW14Alapati Leiua
OC13Kieron Fonotia 64'
IC12Rey Lee-Lo
LW11David Lemi (c) 73'
FH10Tusi Pisi
SH9Kahn Fotuali'i 76'
N88Faifili Levave 57'
OF7Jack Lam
BF6Piula Faʻasalele 67'
RL5Fa'atiga Lemalu
LL4Chris Vui
TP3Paul Alo-Emile 51'
HK2Elia Elia 58'
LP1Jordan Lay 76'
Replacements:
HK16Seilala Lam 58'
PR17Nephi Leatigaga 76'
PR18James Lay 51'
FL19Galu Taufale 67'
N820Sanele Vavae Tuilagi 57'
SH21Auvasa Faleali’i 76'
FH22D'angelo Leuila 64'
FB23Ahsee Tuala 73'
Coach:
Alama Ieremia
FB15Timoci Nagusa 60'
RW14Vereniki Goneva
OC13Asaeli Tikoirotuma 74'
IC12Jale Vatubua
LW11Patrick Osborne
FH10Ben Volavola
SH9Henry Seniloli 76'
N88Nemani Nagusa
OF7Akapusi Qera (c) 66'
BF6Dominiko Waqaniburotu
RL5Leone Nakarawa
LL4Tevita Cavubati 59'
TP3Manasa Saulo 60'
HK2Talemaitoga Tuapati 66'
LP1Campese Ma'afu 66'
Replacements:
HK16Sunia Koto 66'
PR17Joeli Veitayaki Jr. 66'
PR18Kalivati Tawake 60'
LK19Api Ratuniyarawa 59'
FL20Viliame Mata 66'
SH21Frank Lomani 76'
CE22Eroni Vasiteri 74'
WG23Josua Tuisova 60'
Coach:
John McKee

Touch judges:
Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Nick Briant (New Zealand)

Notes:

  • James Lay (Samoa) and Frank Lomani (Fiji) made their international debuts.
  • This was Fiji's first win in Samoa since their 17–16 win in 2002.

Squads
Nation Head coach Captain
 Fiji John McKee Akapusi Qera
 Samoa Alama Ieremia David Lemi
 Tonga Toutai Kefu Siale Piutau

Note: Number of caps and players' ages are indicated as of 1 July 2017 – the tournament's opening day, pre first tournament match.

Fiji

On 9 May, John McKee named an extended squad ahead of Fiji's 2017 June tests against Australia, Italy and Scotland and their Rugby Pacific Nations Cup / 2019 RWC Oceania qualification campaign in July.[8]

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Sunia Koto Hooker (1980-04-15)April 15, 1980 (aged 37) 54 Mâcon
Jale Sassen Hooker (1992-09-06)September 6, 1992 (aged 24) 1 Suva
Talemaitoga Tuapati Hooker (1985-08-16)August 16, 1985 (aged 31) 36 Provence
Lee Roy Atalifo Prop (1988-03-10)March 10, 1988 (aged 29) 9 Unattached
Mosese Ducivaki Prop (1991-02-28)February 28, 1991 (aged 26) 1 Naitasiri
Campese Ma'afu Prop (1984-12-19)December 19, 1984 (aged 32) 45 Northampton Saints
Peni Ravai Prop (1990-06-16)June 16, 1990 (aged 27) 21 Aurillac
Manasa Saulo Prop (1989-04-06)April 6, 1989 (aged 28) 31 Toulon
Kalivati Tawake Prop (1988-11-16)November 16, 1988 (aged 28) 3 Suva
Joeli Veitayaki Jr. Prop (1986-03-14)March 14, 1986 (aged 31) 5 Naitasiri Highlanders
Leone Nakarawa Lock (1988-04-02)April 2, 1988 (aged 29) 42 Racing 92
Tevita Cavubati Lock (1987-08-12)August 12, 1987 (aged 29) 18 Worcester Warriors
Api Ratuniyarawa Lock (1986-07-11)July 11, 1986 (aged 30) 24 Northampton Saints
Sikeli Nabou Lock (1988-03-05)March 5, 1988 (aged 29) 1 Biarritz Olympique
Naulia Dawai Flanker (1987-06-26)June 26, 1987 (aged 30) 8 Connacht
Viliame Mata Flanker (1991-10-22)October 22, 1991 (aged 25) 2 Edinburgh
Akapusi Qera (c) Flanker (1984-04-24)April 24, 1984 (aged 33) 57 Montpellier
Mosese Voka Flanker (1985-06-07)June 7, 1985 (aged 32) 4 Suva
Dominiko Waqaniburotu Flanker (1986-04-20)April 20, 1986 (aged 31) 33 Brive
Peceli Yato Flanker (1993-01-17)January 17, 1993 (aged 24) 9 Clermont Auvergne
Nemani Nagusa Number 8 (1988-06-21)June 21, 1988 (aged 29) 8 Nadroga
Nikola Matawalu Scrum-half (1989-03-08)March 8, 1989 (aged 28) 32 Exeter Chiefs
Henry Seniloli Scrum-half (1989-06-15)June 15, 1989 (aged 28) 14 Timișoara Saracens
Serupepeli Vularika Scrum-half (1990-04-29)April 29, 1990 (aged 27) 8 Suva
Ben Volavola Fly-half (1991-01-13)January 13, 1991 (aged 26) 17 Melbourne Rebels
Levani Botia Centre (1989-03-14)March 14, 1989 (aged 28) 8 La Rochelle
Vereniki Goneva Centre (1984-04-05)April 5, 1984 (aged 33) 44 Newcastle Falcons
John Stewart Centre (1988-02-17)February 17, 1988 (aged 29) 1 Suva
Asaeli Tikoirotuma Centre (1986-06-24)June 24, 1986 (aged 31) 19 London Irish
Jale Vatubua Centre (1991-08-30)August 30, 1991 (aged 25) 3 Pau
Eroni Vasiteri Centre (1989-05-27)May 27, 1989 (aged 28) 3 Nadroga
Albert VuliVuli Centre (1985-05-26)May 26, 1985 (aged 32) 16 Racing 92
Benito Masilevu Wing (1989-10-07)October 7, 1989 (aged 27) 8 Brive
Nemani Nadolo Wing (1988-01-31)January 31, 1988 (aged 29) 26 Montpellier
Timoci Nagusa Wing (1987-07-14)July 14, 1987 (aged 29) 26 Montpellier
Patrick Osborne Wing (1987-06-14)June 14, 1987 (aged 30) 4 Highlanders
Josua Tuisova Wing (1994-02-04)February 4, 1994 (aged 23) 1 Toulon
Kini Murimurivalu Fullback (1989-05-15)May 15, 1989 (aged 28) 18 La Rochelle
Metuisela Talebula Fullback (1991-05-24)May 24, 1991 (aged 26) 22 Bordeaux Bègles

Samoa

On 29 May, Alama Ieremia named a 35-man squad ahead of Samoa's 2017 June tests against New Zealand and Wales and their Pacific Nations Cup / 2019 RWC Oceania qualification campaign in July.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Elia Elia Hooker (1996-01-22)January 22, 1996 (aged 21) 3 Harlequins
Seilala Lam Hooker (1989-02-18)February 18, 1989 (aged 28) 5 Nevers
Manu Leiataua Hooker (1986-12-26)December 26, 1986 (aged 30) 15 Bayonne
Viliamu Afatia Prop (1990-05-24)May 24, 1990 (aged 27) 17 Racing 92
Paul Alo-Emile Prop (1991-12-22)December 22, 1991 (aged 25) 2 Stade Français
Census Johnston Prop (1981-05-06)May 6, 1981 (aged 36) 57 Toulouse
James Lay Prop (1993-12-16)December 16, 1993 (aged 23) 0 Whakarewarewa
Jordan Lay Prop (1992-11-05)November 5, 1992 (aged 24) 0 Whakarewarewa
Nephi Leatigaga Prop (1993-12-05)December 5, 1993 (aged 23) 3 Piacenza
Hisa Sasagi Prop (1987-06-29)June 29, 1987 (aged 30) 1 Southern RFC
Bronson Tauakipulu Prop (1996-01-08)January 8, 1996 (aged 21) 1 Northshore
Fa'atiga Lemalu Lock (1989-04-17)April 17, 1989 (aged 28) 20 Saracens
Masalosalo Tutaia Lock (1984-06-05)June 5, 1984 (aged 33) 0 Pau
Chris Vui Lock (1993-02-11)February 11, 1993 (aged 24) 3 Worcester Warriors
Piula Faʻasalele Flanker (1988-01-22)January 22, 1988 (aged 29) 7 Toulouse
Alafoti Fa'osiliva Flanker (1985-10-28)October 28, 1985 (aged 31) 23 Worcester Warriors
Jack Lam Flanker (1987-11-18)November 18, 1987 (aged 29) 21 Bristol
Faifili Levave Flanker (1986-01-15)January 15, 1986 (aged 31) 14 Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars
Kelly Meafua Flanker (1990-10-16)October 16, 1990 (aged 26) 0 West Harbour
Fa’alemiga Selesele Flanker (1989-02-28)February 28, 1989 (aged 28) 5 Moataa
Galu Taufale Flanker (1987-03-17)March 17, 1987 (aged 30) 1 Poneke
Taiasina Tuifu'au Flanker (1984-08-20)August 20, 1984 (aged 32) 19 Lyon
Sanele Vavae Tuilagi Number 8 (1988-06-15)June 15, 1988 (aged 29) 8 Carcassonne
Auvasa Faleali’i Scrum-half (1990-02-09)February 9, 1990 (aged 27) 0 Nevers
Kahn Fotuali'i Scrum-half (1982-05-22)May 22, 1982 (aged 35) 33 Bath
Dwayne Polataivao Scrum-half (1990-07-30)July 30, 1990 (aged 26) 3 Northcote RFC
D'angelo Leuila Fly-half (1997-01-18)January 18, 1997 (aged 20) 6 Papatoetoe RFC
Tila Mealoi Fly-half (1991-06-28)June 28, 1991 (aged 26) 1 Apia Maroons
Tusi Pisi Fly-half (1982-06-18)June 18, 1982 (aged 35) 28 Bristol
Kieron Fonotia Centre (1988-02-02)February 2, 1988 (aged 29) 2 Ospreys
Rey Lee-Lo Centre (1986-02-20)February 20, 1986 (aged 31) 12 Cardiff Blues
Alapati Leiua Centre (1988-09-21)September 21, 1988 (aged 28) 13 Wasps
Henry Taefu Centre (1993-04-02)April 2, 1993 (aged 24) 0 Queensland Reds
David Lemi (c) Wing (1982-02-10)February 10, 1982 (aged 35) 49 Bristol
Tim Nanai-Williams Wing (1989-06-12)June 12, 1989 (aged 28) 6 Chiefs
Ken Pisi Wing (1989-02-24)February 24, 1989 (aged 28) 13 Northampton Saints
Albert Nikoro Fullback (1992-08-07)August 7, 1992 (aged 24) 6 West Scarborough
Ahsee Tuala Fullback (1989-08-23)August 23, 1989 (aged 27) 6 Northampton Saints

Tonga

On 9 June, Tonga named a 35-man extended squad for their 2017 June test against Wales and their Pacific Nations Cup / 2019 RWC Oceania qualification campaign in July.[9]

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Sione Lea Hooker (1987-01-12)12 January 1987 (aged 30) 3 Clifton
Paul Ngauamo Hooker (1990-02-19)19 February 1990 (aged 27) 10 Stade Montois
Suliasi Taufalele Hooker (1988-08-12)12 August 1988 (aged 28) 4 Ardmore Marist
Siegfried Fisiihoi Prop (1987-06-08)8 June 1987 (aged 30) 0 Chiefs
Siua Halanukonuka Prop (1986-08-09)9 August 1986 (aged 30) 4 Highlanders
Phil Kite Prop (1993-04-24)24 April 1993 (aged 24) 1 Queensland Reds
Sila Puafisi Prop (1988-04-15)15 April 1988 (aged 29) 27 Glasgow Warriors
Latu Talakai Prop (1989-12-26)26 December 1989 (aged 27) 1 Fraser Tech
Ben Tameifuna Prop (1991-08-30)30 August 1991 (aged 25) 1 Racing 92
Daniel Faleafa Lock (1989-02-13)13 February 1989 (aged 28) 11 Albi
Leva Fifita Lock (1989-07-29)29 July 1989 (aged 27) 1 Hamilton Old Boys
Steve Mafi Lock (1989-12-09)9 December 1989 (aged 27) 21 Castres Olympique
Vainanuma Manu Lock (1992-08-01)1 August 1992 (aged 24) 0 Marist
Harrison Mataele Lock 0 Grammar TEC
Michael Faleafa Flanker (1992-02-03)3 February 1992 (aged 25) 1 Hikurangi
Nili Latu Flanker (1982-02-19)19 February 1982 (aged 35) 53 Newcastle Falcons
Sione Lolohea Flanker 0 Silapelu’ua
Otenili Moala Flanker 0 Hamilton Old Boys
Jack Ram Flanker (1987-01-14)14 January 1987 (aged 30) 11 Doncaster Knights
Sione Tau Flanker (1989-02-21)21 February 1989 (aged 28) 0 Agen
Valentino Mapapalangi Number 8 (1993-07-13)13 July 1993 (aged 23) 4 Kia Toa
Leon Fukofuka Scrum-half (1994-09-08)8 September 1994 (aged 22) 1 Crusaders
Sefo Ma'ake Scrum-half (1991-09-15)15 September 1991 (aged 25) 1 Havelu Bulldogs
Sonatane Takulua Scrum-half (1991-01-11)11 January 1991 (aged 26) 21 Newcastle Falcons
Latiume Fosita Fly-half (1992-07-25)25 July 1992 (aged 24) 22 Papatoetoe
Kali Hala Fly-half (1991-03-06)6 March 1991 (aged 26) 6 Karaka
Siale Piutau (c) Centre (1985-10-13)13 October 1985 (aged 31) 28 Bristol
Viliami Tahituʻa Centre (1992-09-10)10 September 1992 (aged 24) 4 Yamaha Júbilo
Tevita Taufu’i Centre (1988-03-21)21 March 1988 (aged 29) 1 Melville
Tuihakavalu Ika Wing (1995-05-12)12 May 1995 (aged 22) 0 Toloa Old Boys
Atieli Pakalani Wing (1989-08-02)2 August 1989 (aged 27) 0 Southern Districts
Nafi Tuitavake Wing (1989-01-21)21 January 1989 (aged 28) 5 Northampton Saints
Kiti Taimani Vaini Wing 1 Grammar TEC
Cooper Vuna Wing (1987-07-05)5 July 1987 (aged 29) 2 Worcester Warriors
David Halaifonua Fullback (1987-07-05)5 July 1987 (aged 29) 22 Gloucester

References
  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. Retrieved 2015-11-15.
  3. "Sport: Tonga expects Teufaiva to host July rugby tests". radionz.co.nz. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  4. worldrugby.org. "Stage set for compelling June internationals". worldrugby.org. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  5. worldrugby.org. "Takulua leads Tonga to victory". worldrugby.org. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  6. worldrugby.org. "Fiji qualify for RWC 2019". worldrugby.org. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  7. worldrugby.org. "Tonga qualify for RWC 2019 as Oceania 2". worldrugby.org. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  8. "Fiji Rugby Union » Vodafone Flying Fijians Squad for 2017 June Tests". www.fijirugby.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  9. "Sport: Seven new caps in Tongan rugby squad". radionz.co.nz. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
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