Fiji, Samoa A teams to contest Americas Pacific Challenge

The Fiji Warriors and Samoa a rugby teams will take part in the inaugural Americas Pacific Challenge in Uruguay next month, alongside other national 'A' teams from North and South America.

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 placing determined on total points after the three rounds.

World Rugby Vice-Chairm Agustín Pichot said the tournament is part of the governing body's strategy to boost tier-two teams in a World Cup cycle.

"With teams already preparing for Rugby World Cup 2019 as well as the upcoming November test schedule, the APC will give teams an opportunity to bring through young players and give competitive game time to players who want to step up to the next level," he said.

"With the buzz from rugby still resonating after the Olympics in Rio, this gives us another opportunity to bring international tournaments to the region and really grow the game in South America."

Matches will be played at the Charrua Stadium, Montevideo, on 8, 12 and 16 October.

Photo: Fiji Rugby