Nadi, Fiji – The stage is set for a spectacular fortnight of Pacific rugby as Oceania Rugby brings two of its flagship regional tournaments to the heart of the islands this June. Rugby fans can look forward to the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge in Nadi, followed by the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship in Sigatoka.
These two cornerstone tournaments are vital pathways for emerging talent and part of Oceania Rugby’s ongoing commitment to strengthening rugby across the Pacific and beyond.
The Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge this year marks a milestone occasion with Canada making its debut, joining traditional Pacific powerhouses Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga in what promises to be an electrifying youth talent contest.
The Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship also returns to Fijian soil for the first time since 2019, with the reigning champions Fiji looking forward to playing in front of their fans at home ahead of this years Rugby World Cup. . With all matches at Lawaqa Park, fans in Sigatoka can expect a women’s rugby festival as the region’s best, take to the field once again.
Frank Puletua, CEO of Oceania Rugby, shared his enthusiasm:
“These championships come off the back of an incredibly successful 2024 for Oceania Rugby. Last year, we delivered a highly competitive Women’s Championship in Brisbane and staged the first-ever Oceania Rugby Sevens in the Solomon Islands—an historic milestone for our region. 2025 marks another important step forward as we bring both the U20s Challenge and Women’s XVs Championships to Fiji, deepening our commitment to hosting more world-class events right here in the Pacific. We are focused on growing the game at every level—especially among emerging players—and creating more opportunities for our island nations to shine on home soil.”
Stephen Aboud, Rugby Canada High Performance Director:
“The kind invitation from Oceania Rugby to participate in the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for our players to test themselves in a meaningful and competitive environment. The experience of training together in a high performance environment and playing against some wonderfully talented teams cannot be understated. This event will provide our men’s high performance staff with a credible program to identify players with the potential for future senior international honours.”
Alana Thomas, Fiji Rugby Union Women’s High Performance Manager:
“The elevation of both U20s and Women's programs in consecutive tournaments is monumentally significant for rugby development in Fiji and the Pacific. This approach gives visibility to women's rugby, which has historically been underrepresented, creates pathways for young players to see potential professional future and reinforces the Pacific region's growing importance in international rugby.”
Josh Taumalolo Tonga Rugby Union Junior Ikale Tahi Head Coach:
“These opportunities are really important for our local players. For the U20s, it lets them compete against the top teams, which helps them improve and get ready to play at a higher level. In Tonga, one of the challenges we face is not having a clear pathway for local players. High-performance events like this are key because they give our players a chance to grow, learn, and get better in a structured way. These tournaments help create a path for our players to develop, which is important for the future of rugby in Tonga. They are not only important for individual growth but also for building a stronger team, ensuring that rugby keeps growing in Tonga.”
Viliame Gadolo, Fiji Rugby Union’s Elite Pathways and Performance Manager:
"As hosts, Fiji Rugby takes immense pride in bringing together Pacific teams and international guests. This tournament serves as a powerful testament to Fiji's positioning as a nation, unifying the Pacific through rugby, showcasing world-class sporting capabilities and highlighting the rich rugby culture and tradition of the Pacific."
OCEANIA RUGBY U20s CHALLENGE SCHEDULE
Venue: King Charles Park, Nadi Dates: 28 May, 2 June, 7 June 2025 Teams: Fiji, Canada, Samoa, Tonga
Round 1 – Wednesday 28 May
- 2:00 PM – Samoa U20s vs Canada U20s
- 4:00PM – Fiji U20s vs Tonga U20s
Round 2 – Monday 2 June
- 2:00 PM – Samoa U20s vs Tonga U20s
- 4:00 PM – Fiji U20s vs Canada U20s
Round 3 – Saturday 7 June
- 2:00 PM – Tonga U20s vs Canada U20s
- 4:00 PM – Fiji U20s vs Samoa U20s
OCEANIA RUGBY WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Venue: Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka Dates: 6 June, 10 June, 14 June 2025 Teams: Fiji, Samoa, Tonga
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
Experience the Action
Fans across Fiji and the Pacific are encouraged to come out in full force, as both tournaments promise fast-paced, physical, and passionate rugby—backed by the energy of local supporters and the vibrant Pacific spirit.
Stay up to date with ticketing info, live broadcasts, at www.oceaniarugby.com and by following @oceaniarugby on all social platforms.
