As the Fiji and Sāmoa women's rugby teams get ready for their last games at the World Cup in England, their male counterparts are preparing to face each other in an important match at the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) Championship in New Zealand this weekend.

The Flying Fijians, who are the defending champions, will play against Manu Sāmoa in the final round of PNC matches on Saturday afternoon in Rotorua. The USA and Japan will compete in another match in Sacramento, California, on Sunday.

Only Fiji have secured a place in the semi-finals. Japan and Fiji have already qualified for the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027. After this weekend's games, the next two qualifiers will be announced.

In the Women's Rugby World Cup, the Manusina will face the USA in York late Saturday night, early Sunday morning (NZ time), followed by the Fijiana playing against Wales in Exeter. The Americans managed to hold the Australian Wallaroos to a 31-all draw in their second pool match, keeping their dreams alive of reaching the playoffs.

Fiji men's team captain, Tevita Ikanivere, says there's no room for error, adding they will need to perform better when facing the Sāmoans, such as reducing their mistakes and making the most of their scoring opportunities.

After their impressive 32-10 victory against Tonga in Suva last weekend, Ikanivere says the Flying Fijians are focused on learning from their mistakes.

Watch the Fiji and Sāmoa rugby teams being welcomed to Rotorua.

He says the upcoming match against Sāmoa carries high stakes, especially since it's being held in New Zealand. He says Fiji must capitalise on their chances and minimise errors.

Ikanivere shared his frustrations over not fully using their opportunities during the game against the 'Ikale Tahi.

“As coach [Mick Byrne] said, a bit frustrating, not capitalising on all the chances we got - dropping the ball too much in the contact area," he told the media. "I know the boys are frustrated about that and are looking to build and get better for Sāmoa.”

Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere, left, Sāmoa head coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi, and captain Theo McFarland. Photo/FRU/Alan Lee/Photosport

Both teams have arrived in Rotorua and were welcomed by local leaders and members of the Māori, Sāmoan, and Fijian communities at Te Papaiōuru Marae in Ōhinemutu with a pōwhiri.

Fiji have won the PNC title six times since 2013, and while Ikanivere admits that their recent performance hasn't always reflected the highest standards, he remains hopeful that the team will improve.

Byrne supports his skipper's view, saying they need to work on ball retention and their breakdown play. He praised the team’s toughness, patience, and resilience against the 'Ikale Tahi match, but says they can do better in carrying the ball.

“Our boys did well to hang in there with the patience in this sort of game, but again we were a bit loose on a couple of our carriers, and we can improve in that area,” Byrne told the media.

Manu Sāmoa need to win this weekend to put their World Cup campaign back on track. This follows their loss in the opening round to Tonga.

Photo/Facebook/Manu Samoa

Sāmoa are missing key players, including prop Kaynan Siteine-Tua, back-row Jonah Mau’u, fly-half Jacob Umaga, midfielder Duncan Paia’aua, and full-back Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong, who featured in the July test defeat against Scotland, their only outing so far this year.

Sāmoa's PNC squad this year is short on experience: scrum-half Melani Matavao’s 22 internationals make him the most experienced player in the side, while four players - loose-head Jarred Adams, tight-head Bradley Amituanai, scrum-half Joel Lam, and outside back Theo Steffany, all making their international debuts.

Head coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi says the PNC is more than just a tournament. "It is our chance to secure Sāmoa's place on rugby's biggest stage. We are ready to give our all for our jersey, our families, and our nation."

Saturday's match kicks off at 3pm, New Zealand time, at the Rotorua International Stadium. The USA-Japan match kicks off at 1am (NZ time) on Sunday.

The lineups for this weekend have not yet been confirmed.

PMN Sāmoa's To'oto’oolamanino Agapetos Latu Leaupepe caught up with Jacqueline Fa’amatuainu Pointon, CEO of Rotorua Pacific Islands Development Charitable Trust, to talanoa about the Manu Samoa Fan Day.

Fijiana, Manusina fail to reach World Cup playoffs

Both Fiji and Sāmoa have struggled at the Women's Rugby World Cup in England, with the Fijiana losing to Canada 65-7 and 29-15 against Scotland. The Manusina suffered heavy defeats to Australia 73-0 and England 92-3.

Fiji and Sāmoa are the only Pacific nations competing in the tournament. But the biggest concern for both teams is that two players have received bans for dangerous tackles during the international tournament.

Fiji prop Bulou Vasuturaga and Sāmoa centre Melina Grace Salale have been given three-match suspensions after receiving red cards in their opening games.

Both came on as second-half replacements and were sent off for dangerous high tackles late in their opening pool matches. Vasutaraga committed a shoulder-to-head tackle on Canada's McKinley Hunt. Salale made a head-on-head tackle on Australia's Desiree Miller in Manchester. The Sāmoan had been on the field for only eight minutes in her World Cup debut.

All Blacks forwards Wallace Sititi, right, Ardie Savea, and Duplessis Kirifi, left, during the team's training ahead of their Rugby Championship match against the Springboks in Auckland on Saturday. Photo/Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

In other rugby internationals this weekend, the All Blacks will face the world champions, the Springboks, in Auckland on Saturday in the Rugby Championship, while the Wallabies will take on the Pumas in Townsville.

New Zealand will announce their side to face South Africa on Thursday.