- Final matches confirmed for the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2025
- First leg of the South America/Pacific play-off between Samoa and Chile to take place before the PNC third place play-off
- Match officials for all three matches on 20 September confirmed, as well as for the second leg of the South America/Pacific playoff in Chile on 27 September.
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2025, with Finals Day confirmed for Saturday, 20 September at America First Field in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. With a rich heritage of the Pacific Island fans based in Utah, supporters can look forward to three high-stake test matches.
Defending champions Fiji will look to retain the trophy in a highly anticipated final against Japan, while Tonga and Canada battle for a top-three finish. Earlier in the day, Samoa and Chile will begin their two-leg play-off series for the 23rd spot at Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
The schedule is as follows (Mountain Time, USA – GMT-6):
13:35 – Samoa v Chile
Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 qualifier – first leg
Samoa will be looking to bounce back from a 29-13 loss to USA in the fifth place play-off in Denver, Colorado last weekend when they take on Chile, the Sudamericano 2025 runners-up, in the first leg of the South America/Pacific play-off.
Andrew Brace (Ireland) will take charge of the match with Luke Pearce (England) and Lex Weiner (USA) his assistant referees. Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa) will be the Television Match Official with Mike Adamson (Scotland) the Foul Play Review Official.
The second leg of the South America/Pacific play-off will be on 27 September in Vina del Mar, Chile. The aggregate winner will become the 23rd and penultimate qualifier for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. The loser have one last shot, via the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai in November 2025.
Luke Pearce will be in the middle for this second leg with an all Argentina team supporting him in assistant referees Damian Schneider and Tomas Bertazza and TMO Marcelo Pilara.
16:35 – Tonga v Canada
Pacific Nations Cup – Third place play-off
With Tonga coming up short against Japan (62-24) in their semi-final last weekend, and Canada losing to Fiji (63-10), they will face off for third place.
Eoghan Cross (Ireland) will referee this encounter with Lex Weiner (USA) and Luke Rogan (Australia) his assistant referees, Mike Adamson (Scotland) the TMO and Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa) the FPRO.
19:35 – Fiji v Japan
Pacific Nations Cup final
Both Fiji and Japan had convincing wins in the semi-finals to secure their positions in the title decider of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2025, a repeat of the 2024 final.
With defending champions Fiji currently ranked ninth and Japan 13th in the World Rugby Men's Rankings, a lot is on the line in potential ranking improvements, not to mention the pride and prestige of hoisting the trophy at the final whistle.
Damian Schneider (Argentina) has the honour of refereeing the final with Luke Pearce (England) and Robin Kaluzniak (Canada) his assistants, Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa) the TMO and Mike Adamson the FPRO.
The event marks a landmark moment for rugby in the United States, with America First Field hosting the decisive matches of the Pacific Nations Cup for the very first time.
For more information, visit: www.world.rugby/pacific-nations-cup
