Fiji prove too strong for Japan as Sāmoa cling on to win bronze against USA

Fiji have claimed their sixth Pacific Nations Cup title after shutting out hosts Japan in the second half to win their rugby match 41-17 on Saturday.

It was grand final time in Osaka, under floodlights, as both sides - unbeaten going into the game - met to decide the 2024 Asahi Super Dry Championship.

Watch Flying Fijians captain Tevita Ikanivere and coach Mick Bryne following their win over Japan.

But it was the Flying Fijians who proved too strong and too fast for the Brave Blossoms with a dominating performance in the last 40 minutes of the match to clinch the victory at Hanazono Rugby Stadium.

It was a highly-intense game with the scores locked at 10-all at halftime, with a converted try and penalty apiece.

Fiji scored five tries to Japan's two, with wingers Vuate Karawalevu (No.14) and replacement and Paris Olympics silver medallist Ponipate Loganimasi (23) claiming a brace of touchdowns to help their team defend their PNC crown.

Japan winger Malo Tuitama takes on the Fijian defence. Photo/World Rugby

The Flying Fijians beat the USA Eagles 22-3 in the semifinal a week earlier while Japan defeated Manu Sāmoa 49-27 to claim their place in Saturday's final.

The Sāmoans came from behind to secure their first win, 18-13, against the Americans in nine years. The match was a curtain-raiser for the Fiji-Japan final.

Just as they did in their semi-final against Fiji, the USA started strong and earned an early lead. But it was Sāmoa who had the better complete performance to claim the bronze.

At 13-all, it was the late try to centre Melani Nanai (13) from an offload to beat the desperate defence to score in the corner. The conversion was off-target but it was enough for the Pacific islanders to hang on and win.

The Americans begin their end-of-year tour against Portugal in Lisbon on 9 November, before taking on Tonga in France and finally Spain in La Vila.

Sāmoa are unlikely to feature the rest of the year, with the union informing World Rugby that they do not have the finances to cover a tour to Europe.

Watch highlights of the Sāmoa v USA match.

In Saturday's final, Japan had the perfect start with fullback Lee Seung Sin opening the scoreboard from his boot via a penalty in Fiji's 22 in the 6th minute.

The visitors replied with a penalty four minutes later and flyhalf Caleb Muntz made no mistake.

The Japanese kept the pressure and were rewarded with a try to centre Dylan Riley from a well-worked move off the scrum. Lee converts to give Japan the lead 10-3.

The momentum was with Japan for much of the first half but they struggled to keep possession inside Fiji’s territory.

The Fijian defence fought tirelessly to keep the Japanese attack at bay and their persistence paid off in the 30th minute when inside back Inia Tabuavou (12) scored. But the try was disallowed after a TMO review.

Fiji continued to apply pressure on Japan and levelled the scores in the 33rd minute with Karawalevu scoring his first try. Muntz converts, 10-10.

Watch highlights of the Fiji v Japan PNC final.

Three minutes before halftime, Japan was reduced to 14 men after hooker Mamoru Harada (2) was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle.

In the second half, Fiji scored four more tries to Albert Tuisue, Karawalevu (his second) and Loganimasi with two. Fullback Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula kicked one conversion while the other three were from the boot of Muntz, who also slotted home a penalty.

Japan managed a consolation try in the 77th minute to wing Malo Tuitama, converted by Lee for a 41-17 final score.

Saturday's final was the 20th test meeting between the teams, with the Flying Fijians winning 16 games.

Coach Mick Byrne praised his players after the game, acknowledging their hard work on and off the field throughout the tournament.

He told journalists that it was a well-deserved win for his young team, while highlighting the impact his reserves had coming off the bench.

He says Fiji will now turn their attention to the November tests against Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

For Japan's head coach Eddie Jones, his dream of a PNC title came crashing down as quickly as the tight first hour of play as he could have hoped for in finals rugby.

A Fijian onslaught in the final 20 minutes of the game saw the scores go from 10-all at halftime to 41-10 in the space of 20 minutes.

At the post-match press conference, Jones - the former controversial Wallabies coach - seemed partly of humility and assurance.

He praised the Fijians' achievement saying, "Firstly, congratulations to Fiji", as he fronted 50-odd Japanese journalists in Osaka.

“They’re a great model for teams that have been outside the tier one on how to develop new talent," Jones said.

“Most of those players have played for the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby and they’ve just developed a great depth and breadth in their squad.

“They played good, tough Test match rugby today. For my team, I’m really pleased with our effort today, but we’re not quite at that level.

"We know we’ve got to work harder and longer, and we’ll do that to reach the level we’re required to be at.

“I’m really pleased with the effort of our young players, but we’re not quite good enough at the moment."

Jones said he was focussed on building the Brave Blossoms for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Japan will host the All Blacks in Yokohama on 26 October then travel to Paris to face France on 10 November, and a week later take on Uruguay in the French city of Chambéry before heading to Twickenham on 25 November to play England.

The All Blacks have retained the Bledisloe Cup. Photo/David Neilson

In other rugby union results, hosts Argentina upset the world champions, South Africa, 29-28, to keep their hopes of winning their first Rugby Championship alive in hot and humid conditions in Santiago del Estero on Sunday.

The two sides meet in Nelspruit, South Africa, early Sunday (NZ time) where the title will be decided. The Springboks lead the table with 19 points with second-placed Argentina on 14 points, ahead of the All Blacks and Wallabies.

New Zealand held on to survive a second-half surge by Australia to win 31-28 in Sydney on Saturday and retain the Bledisloe Cup. Both sides meet again in Wellington on the weekend for game two.

Argentina Pumas celebrate their win over the Springboks on Sunday. Photo/Geronimo Uranga

PNC final teams

Fiji: 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 3. Samu Tawake, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua, 6. Meli Derenalagi, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Caleb Muntz, 11. Ilaisa Droasese, 12. Inia Tabuavou, 13. Iosefo Baleiwairiki, 14. Vuate Karawalevu, 15. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.

Replacements: 16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Haereiti Hetet, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Ratu Rotuisolia, 20. Albert Tuisue, 21. Peni Matawalu, 22. Apisalome Vota, 23. Ponipate Loganismasi.

Japan: 1. Shogo Miura, 2. Mamoru Harada, 3. Shuhei Takeuchi, 4. Ratu Epeneri Uluiviti, 5. Warner Dearns, 6. Amato Fakatava, 7. Kanji Shimokawa, 8. Faulua Makisi, 9. Shinobu Fujiwara, 10. Harumichi Tatekawa, 11. Malo Tuitama, 12. Nicholas McCurran, 13. Dylan Riley, 14. Tomoki Osada, 15. Seungsin Lee.

Replacements: 16. Kenta Matsuoka, 17. Takato Okabe, 18. Keijiro Tamefusa, 19. Isaiah Collins-Mapusua, 20. Tiennan Costley, 21. Taiki Koyama, 22. Yusuke Kajimura, 23. Junta Hamano.

Watch highlights of the Pumas v Springboks match.