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Last Updated on 20 Jun 2022 6:33 pm (UK Time)
Founded in 2006, the Pacific Nations Cup is one of the most prominent rugby union tournaments. As suggested, the Pacific Nations Cup is played between Pacific states, including Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji. In 2019, the tournament also included rugby teams from the United States, Japan, and Canada. The 2022 edition of the Pacific Nations Cup kicks off on the 2nd of July, and it features teams from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, and Australia.
All of the best betting sites in Australia will cover all tournament matches, starting with the first match, which will be played at the ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji, between Australia and Samoa. Aussie bookmakers have already revealed their predictions and favourites for winning the title this time. It should be noted that the last Pacific Nations Cup was held in 2019. The national rugby team of Japan is the most recent champion.
What do Aussie Bookmakers Have to Predict?
The last edition of the Pacific Nations Cup Tournament was held between the 27th of July and the 10th of August 2019. Unlike the upcoming July event, the previous tournament featured six teams, including the United States, Tonga, Samoa, Japan, Fiji, and Canada. This time around, national rugby union teams of the USA, Canada, and Japan are not competing.
In the final match of the tournament, Japan won after defeating the USA team as this was something predicted by many betting sites Australia has to offer today. In fact, other betting sites listed Japan as one of their favourites for winning the title, considering the team’s impressive past performance. The national rugby team of Japan won three Pacific Nations titles in fourteen editions.
Speaking of sports betting, betting sites Australia as reviewed by BestBettingSites.com offer extensive sports coverage that goes beyond rugby. Aside from extensive sports coverage, the best Aussie bookmakers are known for offering generous bonuses and promotions, competitive betting odds, and impressive mobile and in-play punting options to Aussie sports bettors.
Favourites for Winning the Title According to Aussie Bookmakers
This leads us to predictions by Australian bookmakers for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup tournament. The Pacific Nations Cup that kicks off in July has opened the doors for Tonga and Samoa to access a line of very successful players who have competed for the Wallabies and All Blacks. More specifically, the Samoa national rugby team could consist of Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, who has competed for the national team of New Zealand and the Ulster since 2022.
Since players competing for other teams could potentially join the team of Samoa, we may see Josh Ioane as well, who at the moment plays for the Chiefs. The Samoan team may include Christian Lealiifano, Victor Vito, Charlie Faumuina, Ma’a Nonu, Steven Luatua, and Lima Sopoaga. Since 2021, Lima Sopoaga has been competing for the Lyon, while Steven Luatua has played for the Bristol Bears since 2017.
According to online bookmakers Australia, the Samoan team is one of the contenders for winning the title, alongside the national team of Tonga. The team of Tonga could also potentially benefit from new World Rugby eligibility rules by bringing on board Isreal Folau and Charles Piutau. Charles Piutau joined the Tongan team in 2022. Since 2018, he has been competing for the Bristol Bears. Israel Folau competed for the Australian national team for two years, from 2007 until 2009.
Other great players that may participate in the tournament on the Tongan team are Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala, Adam Coleman, Vaea Fifita, Augustine Pulu, Sitaleki Timani, and Sekope Kopu. Having access to such impressive players gives both teams much needed boost. At the same time, we are not sure what fixtures these two teams will play in the upcoming tournament, but these star players are allowed to compete.
The Australian Rugby Team – Predictions
The 2022 edition of the Pacific Nations Cup is hosted by Fiji in July at Lautoka and Suva. The national team of Fiji is one of the favourites to win the title for the sixth time. When it comes to the Australian team, the team will be represented by Fraser McReight and Reece Hodge. Since 2018, Fraser McReight has been competing for the Brisbane City team, while Reece Hodge has been competing for the Melbourne Rebels since 2016.
The two players were definitely among the most surprising options for representing the team, according to Australian bookmakers and Aussie fans of rugby union. As revealed by the team’s coach Dave Rennie recently, the Wallabies A squad for the Pacific Nations Cup also consists of Feleti Kaitu’u, Lalakai Foketi, Filipo Daugunu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, and Tom Robertson.
Ned Hanigan and Tane Edmed were also invited to join the team. We are not surprised to see Tane Edmed being called to join the team based on his stellar performance for the New South Wales Waratah the previous season. Ned Hanigan returned to the team after leaving Japan. Dave Rennie believes the team has a great combination of young players and experience. Dave Rennie also believes that the team can win in the first match, played on the 2nd of July against the national team of Fiji.
While the Australian team is not one of the favourites to win the title, it can surprise just like any other team. The second match of the tournament is played between Fiji and Tonga also on the 2nd of July. On the 9th of July, two matches are played between Samoa and Tonga and the second one between Australia and Fiji.
