Fixtures confirmed for 2017 Americas Pacific Challenge

The Americas Pacific Challenge will return for a second year in 2017. Once again the tournament will take place in Montevideo with all matches taking place at the Estadio Charrúa. Six teams of the second senior national (‘A’) level will take part with five returning from 2016. Argentina, Canada, Samoa, Uruguay, and the USA will all take part with Tonga the newcomers replacing Fiji.

As in last year the teams will play three matches each over a span of eight days. The winner of the tournament will be decided by points accumulated in the standard fashion with four points for a win, two for a draw, and one bonus point for scoring four tries in a match or losing by seven points or less.

These matches do not count towards World Rugby Rankings but all matches are binding with respect to eligibility. As the tournament falls outside the official World Rugby test window very few overseas professionals are likely to participate.

Winning the tournament in 2016 was the Argentina XV who were the only side to emerge from the tournament undefeated. With their closest rivals, Fiji, not entering they will be heavy favorites to repeat. Canada can be expected to send their strongest available team in preparation for the World Cup Qualifier series against Uruguay in January, with their hosts likely to do the same.

The USA will likely send a mixed team having already qualified as the Americas 1 representatives for RWC 2019. Tonga and Samoa will send largely domestic teams but may bolster their rosters with semi-pro club players based in New Zealand or Australia.

All matches are expected to be streamed by World Rugby, with details to be confirmed.