World Rugby have confirmed details on the format of this year’s Pacific Four tournament. The competition includes Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA. This year will see it spaced out with the first round to be played separately.
Before competing in the tournament, Canada and the USA will travel to Madrid to take on South Africa and Spain respectively on March 25. They will then face each other in what doubles as the first round of the Pacific Four, while Spain take on South Africa.
In June, Australia will host New Zealand to complete the first round of the Pacific Four. The second and third rounds will be hosted by Canada in July, with exact dates and venues to be determined.
This year’s Pacific Four will also act as a qualifier for the new WXV competition. The top three teams will play in the top tier, with the fourth-placed team playing in the second tier. Full details for the WXV, and its role in World Cup qualification, will be announced next month.
SPAIN SERIES
03/25 – Spain vs USA
03/25 – South Africa vs Canada
04/01 – Canada vs USA
04/01 – Spain vs South Africa
PACIFIC FOUR
ROUND 1
04/01 – Canada vs USA – Estadio Nacional, Madrid
06/?? – Australia vs New Zealand – venue tbd, Australia
ROUND 2
07/?? – Canada vs New Zealand – venue tbd, Canada
07/?? – USA vs Australia – venue tbd, Canada
ROUND 3
07/?? – Canada vs Australia – venue tbd, Canada
07/?? – USA vs New Zealand – venue tbd, Canada