# 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup

The 2011 Pacific Nations Cup was a rugby union tournament held between the four national sides on the Pacific Rim: Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga.
Samoa was the reigning champion after they defeated Fiji in the 2010 competition at Apia Park. The tournament began on July 2 and ended on July 13, 2011 with most of the matches hosted by Fiji. Only the match between Asian 5 Nations champion, Japan and Samoa was played at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Japan. The tournament was moved to Fiji from Japan after the devastating March, 2011 Japan Tsunami.
The tournament was a round-robin where each team plays all of the other teams once. There were four points for a win, two for a draw and none for a defeat. There were also bonus points offered with one bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match and one bonus point for losing by 7 points or less.
Japan were crowned Champions after defeating Fiji and scoring their fourth try the last play of the final match of the tournament giving them the bonus point they needed to go with an earlier win over Tonga. Ill discipline by Fiji cost them the game and gifted the Pacific Nations Cup to Japan at the expense of Tonga. Fiji finished the match with 12 men after conceding 2 red and 3 yellow cards, an unenviable world record.

## Table

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
| 1 | Japan (C) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 67 | 74 | −7 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| 2 | Tonga | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 101 | 68 | +33 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| 3 | Fiji | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 70 | 87 | −17 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 4 | Samoa | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 71 | 80 | −9 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
* 1 2 Head-to-head: Tonga 27–28 Japan
* 1 2 Head-to-head: Samoa 18–36 Fiji

## Schedule
### Round 1

* 2 July 2011 15:10 (UTC+12)
| Tonga | 45–21 | Fiji |
| Try: Vahafolau 5' c Taufa 25' c Penalty try 43' c Iongi 77' c S. Taumalolo 79' m Con: K. Morath (4/5) 5', 26', 43', 77' Pen: K. Morath (4/4) 10', 14', 31', 50' Drop: K. Morath (0/1) | Report | Try: Kalou 59' m Ravulo 66' c Con: Little (1/2) 66' Pen: Little (3/3) 3', 7', 37' |
* Churchill Park, Lautoka Attendance: 4,075 Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
| FB | 15 | Vunga Lilo |
| RW | 14 | Viliami Helu |
| OC | 13 | Alaska Taufa |
| IC | 12 | Andrew Mailei |
| LW | 11 | Viliame Iongi |
| FH | 10 | Kurt Morath |
| SH | 9 | Samisoni Fisilau |
| N8 | 8 | Sione Kalamafoni |
| OF | 7 | Samiu Vahafolau (c) | 26' |
| BF | 6 | Lisiate Faʻaoso | 78' |
| RL | 5 | Paino Hehea |
| LL | 4 | Tukulua Lokotui |
| TP | 3 | Tonga Leaʻaetoa | 60' |
| HK | 2 | Ephraim Taukafa | 64' |
| LP | 1 | Sona Taumalolo | 62' to 72' |
| Replacements: ||
| PR | 16 | Semisi Telefoni | 60' |
| HK | 17 | Sione Vaiomoʻunga | 64' |
| FL | 18 | Joe Tuineau | 26' |
| LK | 19 | Tevita Ula | 78' |
| SH | 20 | Soana Havea |
| FH | 21 | Hudson Tongaʻuiha |
| FB | 22 | Mateo Malupo |
| Coach: ||
| Isitolo Maka ||
| FB | 15 | Kini Murimurivalu | 45' |
| RW | 14 | Vereniki Goneva |
| OC | 13 | Albert Vulivuli |
| IC | 12 | Gabiriele Lovobalavu |
| LW | 11 | Timoci Nagusa |
| FH | 10 | Nicky Little |
| SH | 9 | Nemia Kenatale | 59' |
| N8 | 8 | Dominiko Waqaniburotu |
| OF | 7 | Malakai Ravulo |
| BF | 6 | Josefa Domolailai | 47' |
| RL | 5 | Tevita Cavubati | 71' |
| LL | 4 | Sekonaia Kalou |
| TP | 3 | Deacon Manu (c) |
| HK | 2 | Viliame Veikoso | 57' |
| LP | 1 | Graham Dewes | 57' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Talemaitoga Tuapati | 57' |
| PR | 17 | Penijamini Makutu | 57' |
| FL | 18 | Samu Bola | 71' |
| FL | 19 | Leone Nakarawa | 47' |
| SH | 20 | Vitori Buatava | 59' |
| PR | 21 | Waisea Luveniyali |
| FB | 22 | Adriu Delai | 45' |
| Coach: ||
| Sam Domoni ||
* Touch judges:
* Peter Fitzgibbon
* James Bolabiu
* 2 July 2011 18:10 JST (UTC+09)
| Japan | 15–34 | Samoa |
| Try: Holani 20' m Usuzuki 46' c Con: Nicholas (0/1) Webb (1/1) 47' Pen: Nicholas (0/2) Webb (1/2) 32' | Report | Try: Al. Tuilagi (2) 2' c, 14' c Salavea 34' c G. Pisi 59' c Con: J. So'oialo (4/4) 3', 15', 36', 61' Pen: J. So'oialo (2/3) 12', 65' |
* Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo Attendance: 9,700 Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
| FB | 15 | Goshi Tachikawa | 70' |
| RW | 14 | Kosuke Endo |
| OC | 13 | Yuta Imamura |
| IC | 12 | Ryan Nicholas |
| LW | 11 | Takehisa Usuzuki | 69' |
| FH | 10 | Shaun Webb |
| SH | 9 | Fumiaki Tanaka | 70' |
| N8 | 8 | Koliniasi Holani |
| OF | 7 | Tadasuke Nishihara | 70' |
| BF | 6 | Takashi Kikutani (c) |
| RL | 5 | Luke Thompson |
| LL | 4 | Toshizumi Kitagawa | 48' |
| TP | 3 | Kensuke Hatakeyama |
| HK | 2 | Yusuke Aoki | 76' |
| LP | 1 | Hisateru Hirashima |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Takeshi Kizu | 76' |
| PR | 17 | Naoki Kawamata |
| LK | 18 | Justin Ives | 48' |
| FL | 19 | Itaru Taniguchi | 70' |
| SH | 20 | Atsushi Hiwasa | 70' |
| FB | 21 | Murray Williams | 70' |
| WG | 22 | Hirotoki Onozawa | 69' |
| Coach: ||
| John Kirwan ||
| FB | 15 | James So'oialo |
| RW | 14 | Sailosi Tagicakibau |
| OC | 13 | George Pisi |
| IC | 12 | Seilala Mapusua (c) |
| LW | 11 | Alesana Tuilagi | 51' |
| FH | 10 | Tusi Pisi | 70' |
| SH | 9 | Lualua Vailoaloa | 58' |
| N8 | 8 | Tai Tu'ifua |
| OF | 7 | Manu Salavea | 49' |
| BF | 6 | Ezra Taylor |
| RL | 5 | Joe Tekori | 39' |
| LL | 4 | Daniel Leo |
| TP | 3 | Anthony Perenise |
| HK | 2 | Ti'i Paulo | 77' |
| LP | 1 | Sakaria Taulafo | 68' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Ole Avei | 77' |
| PR | 17 | Logovi'i Mulipola | 68' |
| LK | 18 | Filipo Levi | 39' |
| FL | 19 | Maurie Fa'asavalu | 49' |
| SH | 20 | Uale Mai | 58' |
| FH | 21 | Tasesa Lavea | 70' |
| WG | 22 | Timoteo Iosua | 51' |
| Coach: ||
| Titimaea Tafua ||
* Touch judges:
* TBC
* TBC

### Round 2

* 9 July 2011 12:40 (UTC+12)
| Tonga | 27–28 | Japan |
| Try: V. Maʻafu 24' c K. Morath 29' c H. Tongaʻuiha 73' c Con: K. Morath (3/3) 25', 30', 74' Pen: K. Morath (2/2) 7', 62' | Report | Try: Holani 5' c Endo 34' c Kikutani 47' c Taira 51' c Con: Arlidge (4/4) 6', 35', 48', 52' |
* National Stadium, Suva Attendance: 2,550 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
| FB | 15 | Vunga Lilo (c) |
| RW | 14 | Viliame Helu |
| OC | 13 | Alaska Taufa |
| IC | 12 | Andrew Mailei | 54' |
| LW | 11 | Viliame Iongi |
| FH | 10 | Kurt Morath |
| SH | 9 | Samisoni Fisilau | 60' |
| N8 | 8 | Sione Kalamafoni |
| OF | 7 | Viliame Maʻafu |
| BF | 6 | Lisiate Faʻaoso | 16' 25' |
| RL | 5 | Joe Tuineau |
| LL | 4 | Paino Hehea | 68' |
| TP | 3 | Sila Puafisi | 15' to 25' |
| HK | 2 | Ephraim Taukafa | 48' |
| LP | 1 | Sona Taumalolo |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Ilaisa Maʻasi | 48' |
| PR | 17 | Maleko Latu | 16' 25' |
| LK | 18 | Lua Lokotui | 68' |
| FL | 19 | Sione Vaiomoʻunga |
| SH | 20 | Soane Havea | 60' |
| CR | 21 | Hudson Tongaʻuiha | 54' |
| FB | 22 | Mateo Malupo |
| Coach: ||
| Isitolo Maka ||
| FB | 15 | Shaun Webb |
| RW | 14 | Kosuke Endo |
| OC | 13 | Koji Taira |
| IC | 12 | Ryan Nicholas |
| LW | 11 | Hirotoki Onozawa |
| FH | 10 | James Arlidge |
| SH | 9 | Fumiaki Tanaka |
| N8 | 8 | Koliniasi Holani | 78' |
| OF | 7 | Michael Leitch |
| BF | 6 | Takashi Kikutani (c) |
| RL | 5 | Luke Thompson | 63' |
| LL | 4 | Justin Ives |
| TP | 3 | Kensuke Hatakeyama |
| HK | 2 | Yusuke Aoki | 40' |
| LP | 1 | Hisateru Hirashima | 69' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Shota Horie | 40' |
| PR | 17 | Naoki Kawamata | 69' |
| LK | 18 | Hitoshi Ono | 63' |
| N8 | 19 | Itaru Taniguchi | 78' |
| SH | 20 | Atsushi Hiwasa |
| FB | 21 | Go Aruga |
| WG | 22 | Takehisa Usuzuki |
| Coach: ||
| John Kirwan ||
* Touch judges:
* Keith Brown
* James Bolabiu
* 9 July 2011 15:10 (UTC+12)
| Samoa | 18–36 | Fiji |
| Try: Tagicakibau 22' m Iosua 74' c Con: Lavea (0/1) J. So'oialo (1/1) 74' Pen: Lavea (1/2) 11' J. So'oialo (1/1) 14' | Report | Try: Goneva 8' c C. Ma'afu 40' c Fatiaki 46' m T. Rawaqa 70' c Kalou 79' c Con: Little (2/3) 9', 40' Luveniyali (2/2) 70', 79' Pen: Little (1/2) 20' T. Rawaqa (0/1) |
* National Stadium, Suva Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
| FB | 15 | James So'oialo |
| RW | 14 | Sailosi Tagicakibau |
| OC | 13 | Johnny Leota | 71' |
| IC | 12 | Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu |
| LW | 11 | David Lemi |
| FH | 10 | Tasesa Lavea | 63' |
| SH | 9 | Uale Mai | 40' |
| N8 | 8 | Tai Tu'ifua |
| OF | 7 | Maurie Fa'asavalu |
| BF | 6 | George Stowers | 58' |
| RL | 5 | Daniel Leo | 56' |
| LL | 4 | Filipo Levi | 36' to 46' |
| TP | 3 | Logovi'i Mulipola |
| HK | 2 | Mahonri Schwalger (c) | 70' |
| LP | 1 | Simon Lemalu | 72' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Ti'i Paulo | 70' |
| PR | 17 | Anthony Perenise | 72' |
| LK | 18 | Ezra Taylor | 56' |
| FL | 19 | Ofisa Treviranus | 58' |
| SH | 20 | Lualua Vailoaloa | 40' |
| FH | 21 | Tusi Pisi | 63' |
| CR | 22 | Timoteo Iosua | 71' |
| Coach: ||
| Titimaea Tafua ||
| FB | 15 | Taniela Rawaqa |
| RW | 14 | Ilikena Bolakoro | 75' |
| OC | 13 | Albert Vulivuli |
| IC | 12 | Ravai Fatiaki |
| LW | 11 | Vereniki Goneva |
| FH | 10 | Nicky Little | 66' |
| SH | 9 | Nemia Kenatale | 54' |
| N8 | 8 | Masi Matadigo |
| OF | 7 | Malakai Ravulo | 56' |
| BF | 6 | Rupeni Nasiga | 69' |
| RL | 5 | Leone Nakarawa |
| LL | 4 | Sekonaia Kalou |
| TP | 3 | Deacon Manu (c) |
| HK | 2 | Talemaitoga Tuapati | 75' |
| LP | 1 | Campese Ma'afu | 71' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Viliame Veikoso | 75' |
| PR | 17 | Penijamini Makutu | 71' |
| FL | 18 | Josefa Domolailai | 69' |
| FL | 19 | Samu Bola | 56' |
| SH | 20 | Vitori Buatava | 54' |
| FH | 21 | Waisea Luveniyali | 66' |
| WG | 22 | Adriu Delai | 75' |
| Coach: ||
| Sam Domoni ||
* Touch judges:
* Keith Brown
* James Bolabiu

### Round 3

* 13 July 2011 12:40 (UTC+12)
| Tonga | 29–19 | Samoa |
| Try: S. Taumalolo 32' c Helu 76' c Con: K. Morath (2/2) 32', 77' Pen: K. Morath (5/6) 1', 16', 20', 35', 67' | Report | Try: Lemi 17' c Con: J. So'oialo (1/1) 18' Pen: J. So'oialo (4/5) 4', 42', 44', 60' Drop: J. So'oialo (0/1) |
* Churchill Park, Lautoka Attendance: 2,020 Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
| FB | 15 | Vunga Lilo |
| RW | 14 | William Helu |
| OC | 13 | Suka Hufanga |
| IC | 12 | Hudson Tongaʻuiha | 64' |
| LW | 11 | Mateo Malupo |
| FH | 10 | Kurt Morath | 77' |
| SH | 9 | Soane Havea | 41' |
| N8 | 8 | Samiu Vahafolau (c) | |
| OF | 7 | Sione Vaiomoʻunga |
| BF | 6 | Viliame Maʻafu | 41' |
| RL | 5 | Joseph Tuineau | 41' |
| LL | 4 | Tukulua Lokotui | 40' to 50' |
| TP | 3 | Sila Puafisi |
| HK | 2 | Ilaisa Maʻasi | 61' |
| LP | 1 | Sona Taumalolo |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Ephraim Taukafa | 61' |
| PR | 17 | Maleko Latu |
| LK | 18 | Paino Hehea | 41' |
| FL | 19 | Sione Kalamafoni | 41' |
| SH | 20 | Samisoni Fisilau | 41' |
| FH | 21 | Tomasi Palu | 77' |
| CE | 22 | Viliame Iongi | 64' |
| Coach: ||
| Isitolo Maka ||
| FB | 15 | James So'oialo |
| RW | 14 | Timoteo Iosua | 67' |
| OC | 13 | Fautua Otto |
| IC | 12 | Herman Porter |
| LW | 11 | David Lemi |
| FH | 10 | Fa'atonu Fili | 67' |
| SH | 9 | Brenton Helleur | 41' |
| N8 | 8 | Ofisa Treviranus |
| OF | 7 | Ray Ofisa | 41' |
| BF | 6 | Manaia Salavea |
| RL | 5 | Jonathan Fa'amatuainu |
| LL | 4 | Filipo Levi (c) |
| TP | 3 | Census Johnston | 60' |
| HK | 2 | Ole Avei | 47' |
| LP | 1 | Simon Lemalu | 76' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Ti'i Paulo | 47' |
| PR | 17 | Logovi'i Mulipola | 60' |
| PR | 18 | James Johnston | 76' |
| FL | 19 | Afa Aiono | 41' |
| SH | 20 | Lualua Vailoaloa | 41' |
| FH | 21 | Uale Mai | 67' |
| WG | 22 | Johnny Leota | 67' |
| Coach: ||
| Titimaea Tafua ||
* Touch judges:
* Marius Jonker
* James Bolabiu
* 13 July 2011 15:10 (UTC+12)
| Japan | 24–13 | Fiji |
| Try: Aruga 45' m Nicholas 58' c Horie 63' m Imamura 80'+8' c Con: Nicholas (0/1) Webb (2/3) 59', 80'+9' | Report | Try: Nalaga (2) 6' m, 48' m Con: Bai (0/1) Buatava (0/1) Pen: Bai (1/2) 1' |
* Churchill Park, Lautoka Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
| FB | 15 | Go Aruga | 56' |
| RW | 14 | Takehisa Usuzuki |
| OC | 13 | Koji Taira |
| IC | 12 | Ryan Nicholas | 68' |
| LW | 11 | Hirotoki Onozawa |
| FH | 10 | Murray Williams |
| SH | 9 | Atsushi Hiwasa |
| N8 | 8 | Takashi Kikutani (c) |
| OF | 7 | Michael Leitch |
| BF | 6 | Itaru Taniguchi |
| RL | 5 | Toshizumi Kitagawa | 63' |
| LL | 4 | Justin Ives |
| TP | 3 | Nozomu Fujita | 53' |
| HK | 2 | Takeshi Kizu | 40' |
| LP | 1 | Naoki Kawamata |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Shota Horie | 40' |
| PR | 17 | Kensuke Hatakeyama | 53' |
| LK | 18 | Hitoshi Ono | 63' |
| FL | 19 | Tadasuke Nishihara |
| SH | 20 | Tomoki Yoshida |
| FB | 21 | Shaun Webb | 56' |
| CR | 22 | Yuta Imamura | 68' |
| Coach: ||
| John Kirwan ||
| FB | 15 | Iliesa Keresoni | 63' |
| RW | 14 | Timoci Nagusa |
| OC | 13 | Ravai Fatiaki | 74' |
| IC | 12 | Seru Rabeni | 61' |
| LW | 11 | Napolioni Nalaga |
| FH | 10 | Seremaia Bai | 41' to 51' |
| SH | 9 | Vitori Buatava | 59' |
| N8 | 8 | Sisa Koyamaibole | 23' |
| OF | 7 | Akapusi Qera | 64' |
| BF | 6 | Dominiko Waqaniburotu (c) | 21' to 31' |
| RL | 5 | Ifereimi Rawaqa | 52' |
| LL | 4 | Tevita Cavubati |
| TP | 3 | Setefano Somoca | 59' |
| HK | 2 | Sunia Koto |
| LP | 1 | Graham Dewes | 74' |
| Replacements: ||
| PR | 16 | Waisea Daveta | 74' |
| PR | 17 | Penijamini Makutu | 59' |
| LK | 18 | Rupeni Nasiga | 52' |
| FL | 19 | Jim Naikadawa |
| SH | 20 | Waisale Vatuvoka | 59' |
| CR | 21 | Waisea Luveniyali | 74' 79' to 80' |
| FB | 22 | Taniela Rawaqa | 63' |
| Coach: ||
| Sam Domoni ||
* Touch judges:
* Marius Jonker
* James Bolabiu