Telecom Fiji Warriors Americas Pacific Challenge

The Telecom Fiji Warriors are into their final phase of preparations for the World Rugby Americas Pacific Challenge 2016 which kicks off tomorrow.

Following their long flight across to Uruguay, the Senirusi Seruvakula coached side have had to adjust to the weather conditions and time difference but are looking forward to their first match against the USA Selects.

The World Rugby funded tournament replaces the former Pacific Rugby Challenge and aims to boost the high-performance pathway for tier-two nations.

Samoa A have been drawn in Pool A, alongside the Argentina XV and USA Selects, with Fiji Warriors, Canada A and Uruguay A in Pool B.

Teams will play each side in their opposite pool once, with the placings determined on total points after the three rounds.

For Canada and the USA the Americas Pacific Challenge will ensure competition resumes against Fiji and Samoa. With the 2016 Pacific Nations Cup not involving the North Americans neither Canada nor the USA played a test against Fiji or Samoa this past June.

A more important advantage that all participants will gain is preparation for the November internationals. All involved are to receive vital match practice ahead of playing their end-of-year test matches.

Fiji Rugby Union CEO, Mr John O’Connor says that with the Vodafone Flying Fijians already preparing for the upcoming November test schedule, the APC will give the Telecom Fiji Warriors an opportunity to bring through young players and give competitive game time to players who want to step up to the next level.

“This competition for our Warriors team, will assist us in preparing new players and it’s another step to ensure strong competition for the tier-two unions. I would like to wish the team all the best in this competition and have told them to remain consistent and continue with their winning performance from the World Rugby Pacific Challenge earlier this year.”

World Rugby Americas Pacific Challenge 2016 Fixtures: