All eyes will be firmly focused on the Pacific this weekend when the inaugural IRB Pacific 5 Nations makes its eagerly-awaited debut. Test sides from Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga will compete in a round-robin competition that also includes a strong Junior All Blacks side.

The competition, which kicks-off in Suva on Saturday when Fiji entertain the Junior All Blacks at the Post Fiji Stadium, is a key part of the International Rugby Board's US $ 50 million strategic investment programme aimed at increasing the overall competitiveness of the international Game and Rugby World Cup. To that end the IRB Pacific 5 Nations provides the Pacific Island Unions as well as Japan with an unprecedented level of Test rugby this year, while providing a high level of competition for the Junior All Blacks.

Exciting development

"The implementation of a high-intensity, structured, international Test tournament is an exciting development for rugby in the Pacific region," said Pacific Islands Advisory Chairman Bob Tuckey. "Importantly, the IRB Pacific 5 Nations provides these Unions with an expanded Test match programme and greater exposure at the elite end of the Game."

The competition follows the conclusion of the highly-successful first season of the Pacific Rugby Cup which involved two representative sides from each of the three Pacific Island Unions. Indeed the entertaining competition, which culminated in thrilling final between Savai'I Samoa and Fiji Warriors, proved that the talent production line within the Pacific Islands are still very much in production.

Locally-based players

"I am delighted that I have been able to select a large group of local players in the squad, and that is very much due to the assistance provided by the IRB in terms of the Pacific Rugby Cup, which creates a clear pathway for local players, coaches, managers and trainers into the national team," explained Fiji head coach Wayne Pivac who has 16 locally-based players within his squad as well as the returning Rupeni Caucau.

"The IRB Pacific 5 Nations is vital because it now guarantees us international matches. We're always struggling to get the matches against quality opposition. The Pacific 5 Nations now guarantees us those matches and, I feel a firm foundation is being set for the development of the game within the region."

Excitement

Samoa, who will play matches in New Zealand owing to the continued renovation of its Apia Test venue, the Pacific 5 Nations throws up an interesting set of challenges. All four of Samoa's matches will be away from home. However, buoyed by Savai'I's success in the Pacific Rugby Cup, the Samoa squad embark on the inaugural competition in high spirits and boosted by the return of a number of seasoned campaigners.

"We were really proud to see the future stars of Samoan Rugby putting up their hands in the Pacific Rugby Cup," said head coach Michael Jones. "In selecting the side for this tournament, we have taken into account that the games are offshore and will offer different conditions for the team,"

Tonga, who will play at Gosford, New South Wales face a tough start to the competition away to a Japan side that is full of confidence following excellent Rugby World Cup 2007 qualifying results, but Tongan sides produced some impressive performances during the Pacific Rugby Cup and under new Head Coach Adam Leach, enter the competition full of optimism.

For Japan, the Pacific 5 Nations completes what will be a busy schedule of Test matches this year. In addition to the tournament, Japan has Test matches against Italy and Georgia as well as a continued Rugby World Cup qualification campaign. Indeed Japan enter the tournament in excellent form and prolific try-scorer Daisuke Ohata will be looking to extend his record number of tries.

Important development

A full Test programme, coupled with the Maori side's participation in the Barclays Churchill Cup, means that resources will be stretched for New Zealand Rugby. However, the IRB Pacific 5 Nations will provide the opportunity to identify new talent as Junior All Blacks head coach Ian Foster explains.

"We are all aware of the quality of players that the Pacific Island nations have produced over the years. They are all proud rugby countries and we expect them to be fired up for this competition. At the same time, Japan will give us insight into the strength of their rugby, which I believe continues to grow."

The tournament kicks-off on Saturday when the Junior All Blacks face Fiji at what is likely to be a rather partisan Suva. That match is just one of a number of mouth-watering clashes that lie ahead in this exciting new tournament with the pick of the fixtures being a double header at the Yarrows Stadium, New Plymouth on June 24 when the Junior All Blacks take on Tonga and Samoa host Japan.

IRB Pacific Rugby Cup schedule

Round One

Saturday June 3
Fiji v Junior All Blacks, Post Fiji Stadium, 3pm

Sunday June 4
Japan v Tonga, Honjo Stadium, Fukuoka, 3pm

Round Two

Friday June 9
Samoa v Junior All Blacks, North Harbour, 8pm

Saturday June 10
Tonga v Fiji, Central Coast Stadium, Gosford, 7.30pm

Round Three

Saturday June 17
Samoa v Japan, Yarrows Stadium, New Plymouth, 2pm
Junior All Blacks v Tonga, Yarrows Stadium, New Plymouth, 4.30pm

Round Four

Saturday June 24
Junior All Blacks v Japan, Carisbrook, 2.35pm
Fiji v Samoa, Post Fiji Stadium, Suva, 3pm

Round Five

Saturday July 1
Tonga v Samoa, Central Coast Stadium, Gosford, 7.30pm
Japan v Fiji, Nagai Stadium, Osaka, 7pm

(All times local)