Five-try Fiji beat 14-man Japan to claim Pacific Nations Cup title

Fiji secured their sixth Pacific Nations Cup title after they beat Japan 35-12 in their final-round match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Tries from Waisea Nayacalevu, Eroni Mawi, Simi Kuruvoli and a double from Frank Lomani helped the islanders to an impressive win over the Brave Blossoms.

Ben Volavola added eight points off the tee, while for Japan, their scores came via Jone Naikabula and Semisi Masirewa, meaning they finish third on the table.

Strong start from Fiji

After withstanding an early attack from Japan, the Fijians broke downfield, and with just three minutes on the clock, centre Nayacalevu raced under the uprights.

Volavola added the simple conversion to move his outfit 7-0 to the good in a score that settled any nerves whilst denting the confidence and noise in the crowd.

The hosts’ dismal start was compounded soon after when Lappies Labuschagne was red-carded for making head-on-head contact with Vilimoni Botitu in a tackle.

Fiji would make them pay on 17 minutes as prop Mawi claimed their second try of the game as he crashed over before Volavola made it a 14-point advantage.

The Flying Fijians weren’t done in the first half either as scrum-half Kuruvoli scooted over, with Volavola’s conversion sending the visitors in 21-0 in the lead.

Volavola would miss a long-range penalty attempt shortly after the resumption, but he would convert replacement Lomani’s try from in front on 58 minutes.

The islanders then had two tries disallowed by the match officials due to obstruction and a knock-on which kept the scoreline at 28-0 with 17 minutes to play.

Japan got on the board

And with nine minutes remaining, Japan finally had something to show for their hard work, wing Naikabula getting to his feet after not being held for the try.

Masirewa would dive over on the left wing to make it 28-12, with the conversion unsuccessful before Lomani struck in added time to add gloss to Fiji’s victory.

🇫🇯 FIJI ARE PACIFIC NATIONS CUP CHAMPIONS! #FIJvJPN #PNC2023 pic.twitter.com/uR7SxMnoKN

― Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) August 5, 2023

The win for Fiji sees them seal the Pacific Nations Cup title with three wins, finishing ahead of second-placed Samoa, who beat Tonga earlier on Saturday.

Fiji are drawn in the same Rugby World Cup pool as Australia, Wales, Georgia and Portugal and kick off their campaign against the Welsh on September 10.

Samoa end Pacific Nations Cup in style with bonus-point win over Tonga

Samoa proved too strong for Tonga in their final round Pacific Nations Cup encounter in Apia on Saturday as they clinched a deserved 34-9 bonus-point victory.

As the scoreline suggests, the home side were full value for their win as they outscored their visitors by four tries to none with hooker Sama Malolo, flanker Miracle Fai’ilagi, inside centre Duncan Paia’aua and replacement scrum-half Melani Matavao crossing the whitewash.

Fine goal-kicking from Alai D’angelo Leuila

Their other points came via the boot of fly-half Alai D’angelo Leuila, who finished with a 14-point haul after he slotted four conversions and a couple of penalties.

For Tonga, fly-half William Havili added a penalty before his replacement, Otumaka Mausia, also succeeded with a couple of three-pointers off the kicking tee.

The visitors were fastest out of the blocks and opened the scoring in the third minute via Havili’s penalty but Samoa were level by the 17th minute when Leuila landed his first shot at goal.

Five minutes later, Samoa took the lead when Malolo crossed for the opening try from close range before Mausia reduced the deficit when he landed his first penalty in the 28th minute.

Mausia and Leuila then traded penalties during the closing stages of the first half which meant Samoa held a slender 13-9 lead when the teams changed sides at the break.

Strong finish from Samoa

Samoa stepped up a couple of gears on attack after half-time and they were rewarded in the 46th minute when Fai’ilagi scored his try off the back of a rolling maul deep inside Tonga territory.

The next 10 minutes was an arm wrestle as the sides battled to gain the ascendancy but it was the home side who scored next as Paia’aua crossed for a well-taken try and with Leuila adding the extras they were in control of proceedings.

And in the 64th minute Matavao pounced on a lineout from Tonga which went awry deep inside their half and sealed the home side’s win and their bonus point when he crossed for their fourth five-pointer.

Japan bounce back with hard-fought triumph over plucky Tonga

Japan returned to the victory trail when they clinched a hard-fought 21-16 triumph over Tonga in their Pacific Nations Cup encounter in Higashiosaka on Saturday.

After starting their campaign with a narrow loss to Samoa last weekend, the Brave Blossoms delivered an improved performance and bounced back against the ‘Ikale Tahi to keep their hopes alive of winning the competition.

The home side eventually outscored the Pacific Islanders by three tries to two with Jone Naikabula, Amato Fakatava and Semisi Masirewa crossing the whitewash while their other points came courtesy of penalties from Seungsin Lee and Rikiya Matsuda.

For Tonga, Sonatane Takulua and Samuela Moli scored tries and their other points came via the boot of William Havili, who succeeded with two three-pointers off the kicking tee.

Brave Blossoms strike first

The Brave Blossoms dominated the early exchanges and took the lead in the 19th minute when Naikabula rounded off a flowing backline move ― in which Masirewa was prominent.

Despite that setback, the visitors had the bulk of the possession as the half progressed and they struck back with Takulua’s try three minutes later.

Japan finished the half stronger, however, and after Lee slotted his penalty on the half-hour mark, Fakatava crossed for their second try after a superb offload from Naikabula which gave the hosts a 13-5 lead at the interval.

The second half started brightly for the visitors when Havili reduced the deficit with his first penalty shortly after the restart and in the 46th minute he succeeded with his second one which meant the Brave Blossoms were holding a narrow two-point lead.

Japan needed a response and that came in the 52nd minute when Masirewa went over for his try after running onto a well-timed pass from Ryohei Yamanaka.

No surrender from Tonga

However, Tonga did not surrender and they struck back in the 56th minute when Moli dotted down after a rolling maul from their forwards deep inside the Brave Blossoms’ 22.

The final quarter was a closely fought battle as both sides tried to gain the ascendancy but Japan sealed their victory in the 66th minute when Matsuda slotted the match-winning penalty.

Flying first-half blitz seals Fiji a victory over Pacific Island rivals Samoa

Fiji made it two from two in 2023 after defeating Manu Samoa 33-19 in their second Pacific Nations Cup clash on Saturday in Apia as they continue to build towards Rugby World Cup 2023.

Hooker Tevita Ikanivere dotted down on either side of centre Iosefo Masi’s 14th-minute try, with winger Selestino Ravutaumada adding a fourth as the Fijians romped to a 30-5 lead ― fly-half Caleb Muntz adding two conversions and two penalties.

Christian Leali’ifano’s unconverted try was Samoa’s only points of the first half as they struggled to contain the Fijians.

Samoa were able to cut the deficit in the second half thanks to tries from winger Tumua Manu and captain Fritz Lee, but in the end, Fiji did enough in the opening half to secure the 33-19 victory.

Tevita Ikanivere claims a brace

After a stellar season with the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby Pacific, Ikanivere opened the scoring with a quickly taken penalty just seven minutes into the clash ― this coming after Leali’ifano missed a just chance to put Samoa ahead with a penalty just three minutes prior.

Fiji captain Semi Radradra set up his centre partner Masi, who was on debut, for his try with a brilliant skip pass to further the visitors’ lead.

After Ikanivere grabbed his second in the 17th minute, it was looking grim for the hosts as they were leaking a point a minute, trailing 17-0.

Samoa finally got on the board through Leali’ifano in the 20th minute as he crossed the whitewash, but it was from the kind performance that earned the side a 24-22 victory over Japan last week.

Fiji had the final say of the half as Ravutaumada sped down the touchline to score his side’s fourth try, with Muntz adding the conversion and two more penalties.

The hosts looked to mount a comeback with a bright start to the second half as Manu scored six minutes after the break, and captain Lee dotted down just after the hour mark.

However, the deficit was just too large as Muntz added just three points to Fiji’s tally in the second 40 minutes.

The win keeps Fiji at the top of the Pacific Nations Cup standings on 10 points as they look set to take the title off Samoa as they make the trip to Japan next week for their final match.

Speaking after the game, Fiji captain Radradra said, “The first half, we really did well, but we let them come back in the second.  Hopefully, we can make some improvements for next week.”

Samoa skipper Lee said that his side could take some learnings from the clash:  “There’s a lot of things to work on, but there’s definitely a lot of positives as well,” the number eight said.  “We’ve got to move on towards the World Cup, and we look forward to playing next week (against Tonga).”

Rugby World Cup concern for Japan following ‘disappointing’ form

Quarter-finalists from 2019, Japan, continue to struggle ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup, leaving their head coach Jamie Joseph with plenty to correct.

The Brave Blossoms began the Pacific Nations Cup in frustrating fashion after going down 24-22 to Samoa on Saturday.

Michael Leitch’s red card no doubt played a significant part as the Pacific Islanders touched down three times after the back-row departed the field.

It summed up the Asian side’s struggles since the last World Cup, who have lost their last seven encounters.

Improving the discipline

“I am really disappointed obviously with the result.  It is very difficult to win a Test with a man down with 50 minutes to go,” Joseph told Kyodo News.

“We were confident at half-time in our own ability and playing.  The game was always on edge even though we were a man down all the second half.

“We did well and stayed in the game until the very end but we were not quite good enough.  If we had not lost a player, then I think the result would have been a little different.

“We need to be better all-round in skill and discipline.”

Japan battled well against a talented Samoa side but confidence is evidently low as Joseph blamed the errors from their experienced players for the narrow defeat.

“I thought our forwards kept us in the game,” he said.  “They defended very well against a very direct and physical side.  We put them under pressure at line-outs and that stopped their flow and that kept us in the game.

“The young guys did well and made an impact.  The guys dropping the ball were the experienced players.  In Test matches, there is pressure, and we need to be better under pressure.”

Samoan delight

In contrast to the Japanese, Samoa were delighted with both their result and performance as they opened their Pacific Nations Cup campaign in fine style.

“It was exactly what we needed as a team.  We were put under a lot of pressure and are very happy to come away with the win,” said Samoa coach Seilala Mapusua.

“Our new players were put under a lot of pressure, and it is exactly what I was hoping for.  This was their opportunity to put their hand up for a ticket to France, and some played really well and took their opportunity.

“We achieved what we wanted.  First and foremost, to win and then to test ourselves against a top 10 side in the world.”

Fiji hold off Tonga to clinch Pacific Nations Cup victory in Lautoka

Fiji made a superb start to their Pacific Nations Cup campaign when they sealed a hard-fought 36-20 victory over Tonga in Lautoka on Saturday.

In a fast-paced and entertaining encounter, Fiji held the upper-hand for most of this match, but unlike the previous Test between these sides ― which Fiji won 36-0 in Suva last year ― the ‘Ikale Tahi were more competitive.

Solid Test debut or Caleb Muntz

In the end, Fiji proved too strong, however, and they eventually outscored their visitors by five tries to three while debutant fly-half Caleb Muntz had a solid outing as he contributed nine points courtesy of three conversions and a penalty.

Fiji made a fantastic start, and after an extended period of pressure inside Tonga’s half, they were rewarded with a penalty try, and Tonga’s flanker Tanginoa Halaifonua was also yellow carded for his indiscretion, which led to the score.

The hosts continued to dominate and held a 19-0 lead by the 12th minute after their captain, Waisea Nayacalevu, and Sam Matavesi crossed for tries in quick succession.

Tonga needed a response, and they did just that by playing a tighter game, with their forwards more prominent during the rest of the half, and that tactic reaped rewards as Siua Maile and Halaleva Fifita crossed for tries.

Otumaka Mausia succeeded with one conversion and also added a penalty which meant the ‘Ikale Tahi were back in the game as they trailed their hosts by four points.

Despite the visitors’ fightback, Fiji responded when Josua Tuisova crossed for another converted try which meant they held a 26-15 lead at half-time.

The second half was a tighter affair, and Tonga were fastest out of the blocks when replacement back Kyren Taumoefolau crossed for their third try after Charles Piutau had done well in the build-up.

With the score 26-20 to the home side, Tonga were back in the match, and they continued to be competitive for the rest of the second half.

Tight battle

The game’s final quarter was a closely fought battle characterised by great physicality from both sides.  In the 70th minute, Muntz slotted a penalty after Tonga were blown up for straying offside on defence.

That gave Fiji some breathing space, and they secured victory in the game’s closing stages when Peni Matawalu crossed for their fifth five-ponter after a strong driving maul.