Fiji Crowned IRB Pacific Nations Cup Champions

Tokyo – Japan, June 23, 2013: Fiji have been crowned IRB Pacific Nations Cup champions for the first time after defeating Tonga 34-21 in the winner-takes-all match in the concluding round of fixtures in Tokyo on Sunday. Fiji’s win means that there have now been three different winners in the last three years of what has become a major event on the global Rugby calendar.

In the evening’s final match, Japan continued their excellent run making it three test victories in a row with a 38-20 win over USA in front of an expectant Japanese crowd. Fiji, runners-up three times since the inaugural 2006 tournament, finished with three wins, one defeat and 16 points.

Canada, who had led the event until the final round of fixtures, finished second on 13 points and Tonga third on 10.

The matches conclude an exciting expanded IRB Pacific Nations Cup, which has delivered on drama, skill and sublime Rugby.

With the IRB-funded event providing the platform for an expanded competition calendar for Tier 2, it also demonstrated the immense potential of Pacific and North American Rugby.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The 2013 IRB Pacific Nations Cup has again captured the hearts and minds of Rugby fans around the world with its winning blend of competitive matches and multi-host format.”

“I would like to congratulate Fiji on their first title and all the participating teams and their Unions for making the 2013 event the most exciting and memorable to date.”