Pacific Nations Cup: Fiji topple USA for final showdown with Japan

Fiji continued their unbeaten run in rugby's Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup with a hard-fought victory over a young but determined USA.

The Americans made the five-time champions work for their 22-3 semifinal win at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.

Fiji have secured a place in the final against Japan, who proved too strong for Manu Sāmoa 49-27 in their semifinal on Sunday.

Coming off their defeat of Tonga, 50-19, a week earlier in Nuku'alofa, the Flying Fijians kept the USA Eagles tryless.

Backrower Elia Canakaivata (No.8) was in top form for the second week in a row, scoring in each half against the Americans.

Watch highlights of the semifinal between Fiji and the USA.

Fiji coach Mick Bryne said they had to rely on a second-half resurgence to pull away from their opposition.

This was the first time the two sides met since 2014. Despite the win, Bryne said his inexperienced squad was not at their best.

"I thought we were poor in the start but all credit to the USA, they came out to play," he told the waiting media after the game.

"They were physical, they put us under a lot of pressure and they did not allow us to play.”

While the Fijians did not bring their trademark flair, it was their defensive pressure that stood out against the USA.

Standouts for Fiji include Canakaivata, props Eroni Mawi (1) and Samu Tawake (3), halfback Frank Lomani (9), and flyhalf Caleb Muntz (10).

Canakaivata was a menace everywhere with the ball powering through the defence and providing Fiji with crucial go-forward momentum.

Fiji halfback Frank Lomani tries to get away from the USA defender in their semifinal in Tokyo on Saturday. The Flying Fijians won 22-3. Photo/Shuji Kajiyama

His tackles created some key turnovers and his efforts paid off with a well-taken try that put the Americans out of reach in the first half. Canakaivata also scored another try shortly after halftime.

Muntz's kicking game was spot-on and his feeds to the backs opened spaces for them to exploit.

Mawi's powerful dominance in the scrums and his physicality at the breakdown helped his side carry strong across the pitch.

Mawi's front-row mate, Tawake, was also dominant in the scrum, bringing along his physical presence in loose play. He tackled hard and made very strong ball-carries.

Lomani, the heartbeat of this Fijian attack, kept the momentum up around the rucks, linking well with his backline. His passes were accurate and his quick decisions helped keep the USA defence guessing.

Fiji take on Japan in the final on Saturday in Osaka at 10.05pm, NZ time.

The Flying Fijians will then prepare for their November tour of Europe. They face Scotland on the 3rd, Wales on the 11th, Spain on the 17th, and Ireland on the 24th.

Watch highlights of Sāmoa v Japan semifinal.

Japan 49 - 27 Sāmoa

After three rounds of pool games, played in six different countries, the last two weekends of the Pacific Nations Cup were hosted by Japan.

But the home fans had to wait until Sunday to watch their Brave Blossoms in action in the second semifinal against Manu Sāmoa.

With three titles to their name, Japan went into Sunday's match with the third-best record in the competition behind Fiji and Sāmoa.

Japan made a handful of changes for the Manu Sāmoa showdown.

The hosts came out firing in the first half and while the Sāmoan defence worked overtime, they could not keep the Brave Blossoms at bay for too long.

Eventually, the Sāmoan line cracked and the Japanese piled on more than 40 points on the Manu - Japan's third from three PNC matches.

Outstanding for Sāmoa were playmaker Rodney Iona (No.10), hooker Samo Malolo (2), and No.8 Iakopo Petelo-Mapu.

Iona made his presence felt throughout the match, from his boot and on defence, hitting tackles like a midfielder.

Japan celebrate a try against Manu Sāmoa. Photo/World Rugby

Malolo featured strongly in the lineout maul defence and won his side a breakdown turnover when their backs were against the wall early in the game.

Malolo was energetic and consistent defensively, but he was let down by the lineout.

He came off the field as Sāmoa's strongest defender, making 15 tackles, three of which were dominant by halftime.

Petelo-Mapu was one of Sāmoa’s best, providing punishing tackles in defence and shrugging off defenders with the ball in hand. His break in the 13th minute set up his team's first try while a man in the sin-bin.

Elisapeta Alofipo was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on which also resulted in a penalty try for Japan. He made up for it with nine minutes to go in the match when he set up a late consolation try.

Petelo-Mapu was a rock over the ball in the ruck, although missed a game-high four tackles.

Sāmoa was starved of possession in the second half and could not get any go-forward with 36 per cent possession.

Manu Sāmoa will take on the USA for third place in Osaka on 21 September, 7pm NZ time.

Watch the highlights of Tonga v Canada.

Tonga 30 - 17 Canada

Tonga closed out their Pacific Nations Cup campaign in 5th place against Canada at the Chichibunomiya Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday

The consolation final kicked off round four of the competition and it was the 'Ikale Tahi who managed to outmuscle and pull away from the North Americans.

Tonga scored four tries to the Canadian Maple Leafs' two.

The win was also Tonga's first in the PNC this year with standouts for their side, forwards Siosiua Moala (No.6) and Lotu Inisi (8), and inside back Fetuli Paea (12). Flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini (10) and wing John Tapueluelu (11) also featured prominently in their side's victory.

Moala scored the opening points of the match from a powerful lineout drive to the try line. Moala was also outstanding in defence, not missing a tackle.

Tongan Lotu Inisi powers through the Canadian defence. Photo/World Rugby

Other tries to the 'Ikale Tahi were scored by Tupeluelu (2) and fullback Josaia Unga (1). Pellegrini kicked two conversions and both penalties.

Inisi proved again he is any coach's dream player with powerful ball-carrying and being able to get back on his feet quickly and out of the breakdowns. Inisi was a menace in defence off the back of the scrum and was there every time the ball came loose around the rucks.

Paea, dominant in the carry, was on the offering as an extra loose forward early in the game - much to the delight of the front rowers.

Prop Jethro Felemi received a yellow card in the 18th minute for collapsing a maul. This gave Canada an opportunity that they did not waste.

Tonga will now prepare for their November tour of Europe and America. The 'Ikale Tahi face Romania on the 10th, USA on the 16th, and Georgia on the 24th.

Fiji v Tonga in Nuku'alofa on 6 September. Fiji won 50-19. Photo/World Rugby