The Cabinet has approved a proposal to renovate the Apia Park stadium to host international fixtures in Samoa this year including the upcoming Moana Pasifika match this Friday.  

The return of international rugby tournaments in Samoa is part of the country's year-long 60th Independence anniversary program according to the Prime Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa. 

She also spoke about the importance of renovating Apia Park to host the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup for the first time in over 10 years. 

The stadium hosting its first Super Rugby match this Friday when the Moana Pasifika take on Queensland Reds, is another reason why the renovation work is necessary according to Fiamē. 

She said the relevant Government ministries including the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture (M.E.S.C.) and the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympics (S.A.S.N.O.C.) have been tasked to lead the country's preparations to host the games. 

Fiame added that Cabinet has asked all the relevant State organisations and ministries to carry out the renovation work before the start of the international fixtures.

The Moana Pasifika Super Rugby team will fly into the country this Sunday with a parade planned for the team this coming Wednesday in the capital Apia. 

Last month it was announced Samoa will host its first international rugby tournament in 13 years when the World Rugby Pacific Challenge returns for the first time since 2020. The tournament will be contested by the national ‘A’ teams of Fiji, Japan, Tonga, and Samoa and will be held from 3-13 May 2023.

Samoa is looking forward to hosting the competing teams and their first international World Rugby tournament in 13 years, the last having been the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup in Apia in 2010. 

This year also marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between Samoa and Japan and their two senior teams will meet on 28 September at Rugby World Cup 2023 in France later this year.

"We are excited to be hosting this event in Samoa after the last 3 years of the pandemic but also a start on what is an exciting year for rugby in our region heading towards Rugby World Cup in Europe,” said Lakapi Samoa C.E.O. Faleomavaega Vincent in a statement last month. 

“We are grateful to World Rugby for bringing the games to Samoa and we look forward to hosting our friends from Japan, Tonga, and Fiji."

After six consecutive editions organised in Fiji (2015-20) since its rebranding as the Pacific Challenge, the World Rugby-funded tournament is returning to Samoa in 2023 and will be contested by hosts Manuma Samoa, Fiji Warriors, Tonga A, and Junior Japan.

Each team’s squad of 28 players must consist of 23 players that are 23 years of age and under as of 3 May 2023 while the remaining five players can be any age over 18. The tournament will allow future stars of the game in the region to develop their skills in a competitive environment against cross-border opposition.

World Rugby continues to invest in various age-grade competitions throughout the world to support the pathway from junior teams to international test rugby. The World Rugby U20 Championship and Trophy are also returning in 2023 and will take place in South Africa and Kenya respectively in June and July.

WORLD RUGBY PACIFIC CHALLENGE 2023

MATCH-DAY 1: WEDNESDAY, 3 MAY

Junior Japan v Fiji Warriors

Manuma Samoa v Tonga A

MATCH-DAY 2: MONDAY, 8 MAY

Tonga A v Junior Japan

Manuma Samoa v Fiji Warriors

MATCH-DAY 3: SATURDAY, 13 MAY

Fiji Warriors v Tonga A

Manuma Samoa v Junior Japan