The newlook ANZ Pacific Nations Cup gets underway on Saturday 13 June at the Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa, with Tonga hoping to start where they left off last year by beating Fiji.

Former Fiji captain Alifereti Doviverata once said: 'They say Tonga has no mountains, but when you play them in rugby there is one mountain, their heart', which sums up the rivalry and respect between these two rugby nations.

Over the past three seasons the Tongans have held sway over the Fijians in the IRB-sponsored competition but the Fijians, quarter finalists at the last Rugby World Cup in 2007, will be hoping to start well in a campaign that culminates in a 17-day rugby festival on their home patch.

With the Junior All Blacks next on the list, Ili Tabua's Fijians are desparate to start well.

Ellison defending title with different team

The Junior All Blacks have returned to the competition this year to represent New Zealand in the place of last year's winners the NZ Maori. They start against Samoa in Apia, and benefit from having the same captain in place.

Tamati Ellison led that side with Liam Messam, who lines up in the All Black XV this weekend, and has admitted to facing a different set of challenges this time around.

"It is a wee bit different, in the Maori team it was almost a whole different leadership role because there were the cultural aspects, so this job will probably be a bit easier," Ellison told Total Rugby Radio.

"I've also got plenty of guys around me who have played at this stage before, or at a higher level.

"It's a huge blow losing Luke McAlister (to the All Blacks), he's a great player and he'll be missed in this team, but we all know what he's capable of and it'll be good to see him go well with the All Blacks."

"In saying that we've got two great young first fives (fly halves) who've been playing great football over the last couple of years in New Zealand, and it will be good to see them go as well."

A tough propostion

While Ellison's side certainly lines up as firm favourites to win the title this year, having played against them before at this level and on numerous occasions in the New Zealand Sevens jersey, he is taking nothing for granted against the three-pronged Pacific island challenge, or indeed the Japanese.

Fiji will also greatly benefit, he believes, from playing at home after the tournament was re-vamped to include a 17-day festival of rugby on the islands.

After the first two matches, in Tonga and Samoa, the tournament will relocate to Fiji with one match played at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, five matches played at Churchill Park, Lautoka and the last two played at the National Stadium in Suva.

"I think they'll definitely be a tougher proposition on their own home soil," said Ellison.

"I've played against all these sides in the past and they're all really big on momentum. When they get the crowd behind them they can be hard to stop."

For more information on the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup, go to OceaniaRugby.com