Japan Falls to Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup Final

Fiji thoroughly outplayed the Japan rugby national team in the second half of the Pacific Nations Cup final on Saturday evening, September 21, winning 41-17 in Hanazono, Osaka Prefecture.

The match was tied 10-10 heading into the second half. Then the Fijians seized control by scoring four tries at Hanazono Rugby Stadium.

After the match, Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere said the team aims to use its title-winning performance as a catalyst for success in the future.

"The bond in this group is great and we are looking to build on this on the November tour and towards the next World Cup," Ikanivere said, according to Reuters.

Paris Olympian Ponipate Loganimasi provided a spark for Fiji in the second half, scoring tries in the 59th and 75th minutes. Vuate Karawalevu also had a pair of tries for the tournament champions and teammate Albert Tuisue added one.

Flyhalf Caleb Muntz, who was named the Player of the Tournament, made a big impact on kicks, finishing 6-for-6 (including 4-for-4 on conversions).

An Early Advantage for Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup Final

Dylan Riley scored a try in the 20th minute and the subsequent conversion gave Japan a 10-3 advantage.

Fiji responded with seven unanswered points to close out the first half.

"We just knew the first 20 minutes was going to be a real battle, and the speed that the Japanese side play with was going to be a challenge," Fiji head coach Byrne said, according to Kyodo News.

The coach added, "We just had to stay in there early, and I thought we set ourselves up really well for the second half."

In the second half, the Fijians' all-around excellence proved too much for the Brave Blossoms.

Malo Tuitama notched Japan's final try late in the second half.

After the match, Japan head coach Eddie Jones described the defeat as a learning experience for his squad.

"A couple of our young guys today struggled with the occasion," Jones was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse. "Unfortunately, the only way to learn from that is to have it, and I'm sure they're going to be better for it."

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Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.