Nadi, Fiji – Preparations are in full swing in Nadi as Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji officially entered their training camps this week, joining Canada who arrived in the country last week, as all four teams gear up for the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge 2025, kicking off Tuesday, 28 May at Prince Charles Park.
The tournament, a key stepping stone in the international rugby development pathway, is set to feature intense competition and showcase the best of emerging talent from the Pacific and beyond.
Speaking ahead of the opening round, the team captains shared their thoughts and expectations.
Fiji Captain, Iliesa Erenavula, said the defending champions are ready for the challenge: “The last couple of weeks have been good, getting to know the boys and bonding. The training has been tough and we know the matches will be tougher. As defending champions of the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge, we know that there’s a big task ahead of us.”
Samoa Captain, Auva’a Totoa, echoed the physicality expected on match day: “We know it’s going to be a tough tournament, and with the first game – it’s going to be a very physical game.”
Tonga’s Taulava ‘Unaloto said the team is embracing the opportunity: “This is a great opportunity for the boys and the team and we are looking forward to the games. The boys have prepared well and we are looking forward to the matches.”
Canada Captain, Daragh Doyle, said the team is bracing for a new level of intensity: “The expectation is that it’s going to be three very difficult matches but we believe that we can win them all. I think it’s going to be matches at an intensity that we haven’t seen yet in any of our championships or games we’ve played, so I really think it’s going to be a whole different challenge. Preparations have been very intense and we have tried to get used to the heat, like in the midday sun with the temperatures.”
The Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge is not only a fiercely competitive tournament but a vital stage for scouting future stars of the game. All matches will be broadcast live on FBC TV in Fiji, carried across the Pacific through Pasifika TV, and streamed globally via RugbyPass TV.
Fans can also look forward to the Oceania Rugby Women’s XVs Championship, set to kick off after the conclusion of the U20s Challenge at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
Broadcast Coverage
Rugby fans around the region and the world will be able to follow every moment of the tournament, thanks to wide-reaching broadcast partnerships:
- Free-to-Air across the region via Pasifika TV
- Live in Fiji on FBC TV
- Global livestream on Rugby Pass TV
Captain’s Photoshoot with South Sea Cruises
The captain's photoshoot for the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge was uniquely staged aboard the newly launched South Sea Cats, providing an unforgettable backdrop out on the water. Just weeks after its official Resort Transfer launch on 01 May 2025, South Sea Cats offered a world-class setting, showcasing Fiji's pristine ocean as team captains posed ahead of tournament kickoff. Operated by South Sea Cruises, South Sea Cats boasts two brand new high-speed 14.8m catamarans that can comfortably seat up to 36 passengers, cruising at 22–26 knots, powered by twin 500HP Mercury Sea Pro outboards, the cleanest and most powerful commercially-rated engines of their kind. South Sea Cats offers twice-daily resort transfers across the Mamanuca Islands, and exciting Ride & Slide half-day snorkelling adventures set to launch on 07 June 2025. For more information, visit www.southseacatsfiji.com
Don’t miss a moment—stay connected through @OceaniaRugby on social media and visit www.oceaniarugby.com for updates, results, and behind-the-scenes content.
OCEANIA RUGBY U20s CHALLENGE SCHEDULE
Venue: King Charles Park, Nadi
Round 1 – Wednesday 28 May
- 2:00 PM – Junior Samoa vs Canada U20s
- 4:00PM – Fiji U20s vs Tonga U20s
Round 2 – Monday 2 June
- 2:00 PM – Fiji U20s vs Canada U20s
- 4:00 PM – Junior Samoa vs Tonga U20s
Round 3 – Saturday 7 June
- 2:00 PM – Tonga U20s vs Canada U20s
- 4:00 PM – Fiji U20s vs Junior Samoa
OCEANIA RUGBY WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Venue: Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka
Round 1 - Friday 6 June
- 2:00 PM – Fijiana XV vs Manusina XV
Round 2 - Tuesday 10 June
- 2:00 PM – Manusina XV vs Lofa XV
Round 3 - Saturday 14 June
- 4:00 PM – Fijiana XV vs Lofa XV
