Lakapi Samoa is ready to play host to the World Rugby Pacific Challenge for the first time in 13 years which will see international rugby teams converge on Samoa. 

On Monday afternoon the Tournament Director, Seiuli Salesa Seiuli and the High Performance Unit (H.P.U.) for Lakapi Samoa, Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun fronted the media and talked about the preparations leading up to the international tournament. 

Seiuli and Seumanu were accompanied by representatives from the two major sponsors for the tournament, Vodafone Samoa and Taula. The tournament, contested by the national ‘A’ teams of Fiji, Japan, Tonga and Samoa, will be hosted in Apia from 3-13 May 2023.

Seumanu spoke about the significance of bringing in international rugby games to Samoa and how they will contribute to the economy and development of Samoa. 

He said the incoming teams will be using local services and facilities which will generate income for the business community as well as the economy of the country. 

In terms of preparations, Seumanu, in response to questions from this paper, confirmed that the renovations made to the Apia Park stadium are nearing completion. 

"We made a proposal to the Government to have the Apia Park renovated for this particular tournament," Seumanu said. "We were fortunate that our proposal got accepted and we are thankful to the government for that. 

"The renovations are currently underway and we have been informed that it will be completed before the tournament next month."

In saying that, Seumanu said they are currently waiting for financial assistance from the government through the Samoa Tourism Authority to assist them with preparations to host the international tournament. 

Seumanu also noted his appreciation for the ongoing support from Taula and Vodafone in supporting the tournaments and always willing to help Lakapi Samoa carry out their plans. 

Nevertheless, the international tournament, added Seumanu will provide the perfect opportunity for the aspiring Manu Samoa players playing in the Manuma team to showcase their skills and talents so they can feed the country's national Manu Samoa team. 

Seumanu said the total cost of hosting the international game in Samoa next month is $500,000 (estimation). 

He said they are very 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.

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 for an exciting competition contested by hosts Manuma Samoa, Fiji Warriors, Tonga A, and Junior Japan.

The tournament will be played across three match days in a round-robin format with each team playing three matches. The Pacific Challenge 2023 champions will be the team who records the maximum number of competition points across the tournament and the full match scheduled has been confirmed by the international federation.

The four teams involved from the Asia-Pacific region will be formed from the best locally-based players, with most promised of a bright future with their senior national team. Competition should be fierce at Apia Park between defending champions Junior Japan, Fiji Warriors and their record nine titles in the competition, Tonga A and Manuma Samoa looking for a third crown on home soil.

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.

General admission tickets will be sold at the gate for $10 tala. Side stand tickets will be sold at Vodafone Samoa, Taula and also from Lakapi Samoa.