Rugby: Pacific Rugby Cup to feature NZ sides

"A" sides from Samoa, Fiji and Tonga to face off against New Zealand teams in the Pacific Rugby Cup. Photo / Getty Images

Development teams from the Chiefs, Hurricanes and the Crusaders will face the international "A" sides of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga in a new look Pacific Rugby Cup announced today by the International Rugby Board.

The sides will face each other over three rounds in New Zealand from March 4 following a similar series in Australia against development sides from the Waratahs, Reds and Brumbies next month.

The tournament culminates with a Pacific Island Series where Fiji Warriors, Samoa A and Tonga A will play each other over three match days in late March.

New Zealand Series: March 4: Crusaders Development XV v Fiji A, Christchurch; Chiefs Development XV v Tonga A, Pukekohe; Hurricanes Development XV v Samoa A, Porirua. March 9 Crusaders Development XV v Samoa A, Lincoln; Chiefs Development XV v Fiji A, Tauranga; Hurricanes Development XV v Tonga A, Lower Hutt. March 14; Crusaders Development XV v Tonga A, Lincoln; Chiefs Development XV v Samoa A, Pukekohe; Hurricanes Development XV v Fiji A, Porirua.

- NZPA