ANZ and the International Rugby Board (IRB) announced ANZ as a sponsor of a series of tournament across the Pacific region including the IRB Pacific Nations Cup.

The sponsorship is for the next 3 years and includes the exclusive presenting rights sponsorship of the IRB Pacific Nation Cup.

As part of this sponsorship ANZ will also support a junior rugby program across the region which will target mass participation initiatives in the nine Pacific Island Members.

IRB CEO Mike Miller said the IRB is committed to developing rugby in the Pacific with a second phase of the strategic investment programme, which will see a further US $94 million invested in the Game.

The sponsorship covers the Pacific Nation Cup during June and July, the Oceania Cup in August and September and the recently completed Pacific Rugby Cup.