Rugby World Cup spots are up for grabs in the revamped World Rugby Pacific Challenge competition, which kicks off in Suva on today.
Formerly known as the Pacific Rugby Cup, the new format features 'A' teams from Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Japan, Argentina and Canada each playing four matches over the next fortnight.
Halfback Pele Cowley is the only overseas-based player included in the Samoa squad, who have been preparing for the past three months.
Head coach Potu Leavasa says the tournament is a chance for players to press their claims for World Cup selection.
"Manu Samoa head coach Stephen Betham is here with us so it's a big challenge for these new boys. The World Cup is ahead of them [and] we're not here to make up numbers, but I know that Canada and Argentina they're building their best team because they know that the World Cup is ahead of them. I see the Tongans have got six of their national players play for them. It's a big challenge for my boys - this is their first time at this level -but I think my boys will do well at this tournament".
Japan Juniors take on Canada in the first match, followed by Samoa against Tonga, with the Fiji Warriors and Argentina Pampas XV going head to head in the later game.
The captains of Canada A, Argentina Pampas XV, Samoa A, Fiji Warriors, Tonga A and Junior Japan pose with the Pacific Challenge Trophy. Photo: World Rugby
Meanwhile the Argentina Pampas XV are keeping their expectations modest ahead of their opening match.
Most of the Argentinian players are full time professionals, including half a dozen senior Pumas internationals, as the country prepares for its introduction into Super Rugby in 2016.
They arrived in Suva well prepared after warm-up matches with the Waratahs and Blues development teams and manager Diego Tyslak says their main focus over the next fortnight is to keep improving.
"The idea of the coach is not looking on the results. Here are 30 players so the idea is to put all the players on the ground - most of them as much time as they can play. Of course players will want to win every game [but] for the coach and the management the first objective is to improve [and] to still work in our system".
The Pampas XV play hosts the Fiji Warriors in their opening match tonight.
The captains of Canada A, Argentina Pampas XV, Samoa A, Fiji Warriors, Tonga A and Junior Japan pose with the Pacific Challenge Trophy. Photo: World Rugby
