The initiative is part of the $50million strategic investment programme for the game that was launched by the International Rugby Board (IRB) in August 2005.
“The IRB strategic investment programme involves high performance, tournament and infrastructure initiatives across the 17 tier one and two unions that are designed to increase the competitiveness of international rugby.
“The establishment of an expanded Pacific Nations tournament represents one element of the provision of enhanced competition platforms for tier two nations,” explained IRB Pacific Island advisory committee chairman Bob Tuckey.
Each Union will play four matches, two home and two away, during the traditional June/July Test window.
Tuckey added: “An initial three-year programme of fixtures has been confirmed among the five unions and the IRB believes it can develop a viable commercial programme for the competition. The tournament schedule will be announced in mid-February.
“Australia was asked to be a part of the new competition but it is currently reviewing its domestic playing programme and the possible establishment of an inter-provincial competition. This would obviously have a bearing on the availability of players for the Pacific Nations tournament in the June/July period and therefore Australia will not participate at this juncture.”
Tuckey also said the format of the tournament was not “set in concrete” and the format could be changed in the future to accommodate teams from other member unions.
In addition to the new tournament the IRB is working with the Pacific Island Unions to establish a Pacific Triangular Championship that will provide regular competition for emerging players in the Islands.
The tournament will involve two representative regional teams from each of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga and it will kick-off on April 15 this year.
The tournament will be played on a home or away basis over five rounds with one final.
