 The Pacific Islanders played Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in 2004 |
The Pacific Islanders will play five Tests in 2006 after the three member nations agreed to re-form the team. The united Fiji, Samoa and Tonga team will play New Zealand and Italy in June, and then Scotland, Wales and Ireland in November.
The decision came after a meeting with the International Rugby Board in Wellington on Tuesday.
The team played three Tests in 2004, but there were doubts about the idea's long-term viability.
"The decisions we took are in line with the commitments of all three nations under the IRB international schedule, " said Pacific Islands International Rugby Alliance chief executive Sakopo Lolohea.
There is some doubt however about Fiji's commitment to the schedule.
Fiji coach Wayne Pivac believes such an itinerary would be detrimental to Fiji's build-up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
A lack of matches for their own country would also make it difficult for the Fijian Rugby Union to sign up a national team sponsor to replace Vodafone, who pulled out at the end of 2004.
The Pacific Islanders are not playing any matches in 2005.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 