By Country / Pacific Islands

New Zeland Maori and Australia A occupy the top two spots in the Pacific Nations Cup, highlighting the strength in depth of the southern hemisphere giants with World Cup veterans, Morgan Turinui, Piri Weepu and Mark Gerrard in their squads.

Australia A kicked off by scoring six tries against a stubborn Japanese side, including a brace for Peter Kimlin  while Mark Gerrard claimed a 17 point haul in the win. Captain Morgan Turinui has impressed and made it two tries in two as the strong second string Wallabies held out in wet and sticky conditions against a strong Samoan side in Apia.

Fiji missed out on a first victory over Maori since 1951 after Jason Eaton's second half try sealed an edgy victory over a plucky South Sea Islanders. Sireli Naqelevuki has sensational considering the dire conditions, but the Fijians class showed by trouncing Samoa with debutant Timoci Nagusa scored two tries.

NZ Maori outmuscled a Tongan tank, who are starring down the barrel of a winless tournament. Piri Weepu's late try ended any hopes of an upset, while Tonga were then stunned by Japan, who are clearly making giant strides under John Kirwan.

James Arlidge's boot and four excellent tries, including one each for Hirotoki Onozawa and Takashi Kikutani saw the Cherry Blossoms score their first victory of the tournament.

The Pacific Nations Cup kicks off on Saturday in Lautoka with the clash of the 'Pacific Titans' when Fiji take on Samoa while New Zealand Maori await their first appearance in the competition

It will be interesting to see how the IRB's funding has made a difference to the likes of Japan and the Pacific Islanders in the game's fastest growing area.

The Fijians posses some firepower in the likes of Vilmoni Delasau and Sireli Naqelevuki on the wings while Akapusi Qera bolsters the pack after a sensational season for Gloucester. The big absentee is Top 14 centre Napolioni Nalaga who is staying in France to help Clermont Auvergne's push for a title.

Their closest competitiors are likely to be the newcomers, New Zealand Maori, who have picked a strong-looking outfit with former All-Blacks Daniel Braid and Jason Eaten as well as Super 14 champion, Crusaders centre, Stephen Brett, who will be hoping to stake a claim for a Tri-Nations spot.

Tonga include those household names, Nili Latu, Epeli Taione and Hale T Pole, and after beating Samoa in the World Cup and with Fiji at home, the 'Ikale Tahi' will expect to push towards the to end of the table. Finau Maka will join up with his countrymen after the conclusion of his season with Toulouse alongside the other French players.

Like Tonga, Samoa will be hoping to make encouraging steps following an indifferent World Cup. Michael Jones is gone and with the majority of the stars still around to break a few bones, including the likes of Alex Tuilagi, Census Johnston and Bath young star, Jonathan Fa'amatuainu.

The second-string Wallabies have plucked a few wise heads amongst a few unfamiliar names who are probably just there to make up the numbers with a large selection of the creme of the junior crop destined for Wales and the unaugral U20 World Championships. One bolter to look out for is Sydney University prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa who is Waisale Serevi's nephew but prefers to smash it up rather than giving it the goose-step. Old-boys, Morgan Turinui, Mark Gerrard and Guy Sheperdson provide the experience.

John Kirwan wants the Japanese to illustrate the giant strides he believes they have made since France. Japan narrowly lost out 15-13 to the Classic All-Blacks in their final preparation match before the take on Australia A in their opening match with Hirotoki Onozawa still running the tries in from all angles.

John O'Neill wants Pacific Islanders to reinvigorate Australia's Super 14 teams.

O'Neill thinks that by nurturing promising Pacific Islands talent, it will breathe new life into the sleeping domestic itinerary.

Pat Howard was the first to point out that most of the top Fijian players such as Akapusi Qera and Seru Rabeni ply their trade in England because of the rich pickings on offer in the Guinness Premiership.

The Pacific Islands have provided a number of All-Blacks in recent year's and there's one turning out for England in the RBS 6 Nations, so if there was a policy that could keep the players from Tonga, Samoa and Fiji closer to home and playing together on a more regular basis, then it can only be beneficial for the emerging nations in the long-term.

Révolution française! Marc Lievremont kicks out Chabal, Nyanga and Harinordoquy choosing Julien Brugnaut and Lionel Faure and Morgan Parra as surprises.

Haka-time! New Zealand are added to England’s autumn international schedule alongside Australia, South Africa and the Pacific Islands.

Wishful thinking! Robbie Deans novel and radical plan to use Australia’s Super 14 coaches as his national selectors
Home comforts! Saracens and London Irish given home draws in the Heineken Cup semi-finals.

Exodus! Michael Owen follows Steve Borthwick to Saracens on a three-year-deal.

Scarlet fever! Stephen Jones remains with Llanelli despite interest from Biarritz and Munster.

Banned! Jerry Flannery and Raphael Ibanez are both suspended for eight and six weeks respectively.

Naughty! Bristol docked a point for fielding an ineligible player - Haydn Thomas.

Retired! Saracens and England back-row legend, Richard Hill decides he’s going to hang up his boots after this season.

The Professionals! Kenya contract eight players to the union to compete in the IRB World Sevens

Robbery! Four robbers storm Manuel Contepomi's Buenos Aires home and hold him at gunpoint.

Hanging up the shirt! Boroughmuir retire Scotland and British Lions full-back, Bruce Hay’s, No.15 shirt

Loyalty for you! Jonny Wilkinson signs deal with Newcastle for another two years.

Quarantine! Paul Sackey contracts the Mumps and puts the whole of the England squad on alert.

Sicknote! Peter Richards is ruled out for 3 months with a torn bicep, while Marco Bortolami will be absent for 6 weeks.