Pacific Tri-Nations
Encyclopedia
The Pacific Tri-Nations is the traditional rugby union
series between Tonga
, Fiji
and Samoa
. It was established in 1982 with the Samoan team
, then known as Western Samoa, winning the tournament. In 2006 it was replaced by the IRB Pacific 5 Nations which was then renamed the Pacific Nations Cup.
Between 1993 and 1995 the winner of the previous year's tournament played in the Super 10
competition alongside sides from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
In 2000, for the first time, they played a home and away Pacific tri-nations series, which instantly established itself as the number three series in the world after the Six Nations and the Tri-nations series.
In 2005, the tournament (won by Samoa) was also used to determine qualification for the Rugby World Cup 2007 (to be held in France). The top two teams (Samoa and Fiji) qualify automatically, while Tonga have to win a two-legged match, against the top team out of six small teams in Oceania (Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Niue and Papua New Guinea), before heading to the Repechage Round to face a nation from Asia for a spot in RWC 2007.
The first Women's Pacific Tri-Nations
was held in 2006, and was won by Samoa.
Women's Pacific Tri-Nations
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
series between Tonga
Tonga national rugby union team
The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – the Kailao . They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance along with Fiji and Samoa...
, Fiji
Fiji national rugby union team
The Fiji national rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 26...
and Samoa
Samoa national rugby union team
The Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
. It was established in 1982 with the Samoan team
Samoa national rugby union team
The Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
, then known as Western Samoa, winning the tournament. In 2006 it was replaced by the IRB Pacific 5 Nations which was then renamed the Pacific Nations Cup.
Between 1993 and 1995 the winner of the previous year's tournament played in the Super 10
Super 10 (Southern Hemisphere competition)
The Super 10 was a rugby union tournament featuring ten teams from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Tonga and Western Samoa, which ran for three years from 1993 to 1995...
competition alongside sides from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
In 2000, for the first time, they played a home and away Pacific tri-nations series, which instantly established itself as the number three series in the world after the Six Nations and the Tri-nations series.
In 2005, the tournament (won by Samoa) was also used to determine qualification for the Rugby World Cup 2007 (to be held in France). The top two teams (Samoa and Fiji) qualify automatically, while Tonga have to win a two-legged match, against the top team out of six small teams in Oceania (Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Niue and Papua New Guinea), before heading to the Repechage Round to face a nation from Asia for a spot in RWC 2007.
The first Women's Pacific Tri-Nations
Women's Pacific Tri-Nations
The Women's Pacific Tri-Nations tournament was played for the first time, and this far only, time at Teufaiva Park, Nuku’alofa, Tonga, in April 2006....
was held in 2006, and was won by Samoa.
Past winners
- 1982 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1983 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1984 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1985 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1986 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1987 Pacific Tri-Nations
- 1988 Pacific Tri-Nations
- 1989 Pacific Tri-Nations
- 1990 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1991 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1992 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1993 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1994 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1995 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1996 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1997 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1998 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 1999 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 2000 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 2001 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 2002 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 2003 No tournament due to the 2003 Rugby World Cup2003 Rugby World CupThe 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World...
- 2004 Pacific Tri-Nations -
- 2005 Pacific Tri-Nations -
Women's Pacific Tri-Nations
- 2006 Samoa
See also
- Fiji national rugby union teamFiji national rugby union teamThe Fiji national rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 26...
- Samoa national rugby union teamSamoa national rugby union teamThe Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
- Tonga national rugby union teamTonga national rugby union teamThe Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – the Kailao . They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance along with Fiji and Samoa...
- Pacific Islands Rugby AlliancePacific Islands Rugby AllianceThe Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance was set up in 2002 as a basis of co-operation between the Fiji, Samoa and Tonga Rugby Unions. Niue and the Cook Islands are also members of the Alliance, and while not members of the Pacific Tri-Nations competition, they can and do supply members to the Pacific...
- Pacific Nations Cup
- Women's Pacific Tri-NationsWomen's Pacific Tri-NationsThe Women's Pacific Tri-Nations tournament was played for the first time, and this far only, time at Teufaiva Park, Nuku’alofa, Tonga, in April 2006....