In the Pacific Nations Cup decider at Prince Chichibu Rugby Stadium in Tokyo, Fiji showcased their dominance by securing a convincing 35-12 victory over Japan. The game took a crucial turn early on when Japan’s flanker, Pieter Labuschagne, received a red card in the seventh minute. At that point, Fiji was already leading 7-0, and they continued to assert their control, extending the lead to 21-0 by halftime.
Although Fiji had three tries disallowed in the second half, they maintained a substantial 28-0 lead going into the final 10 minutes of the game. Japan put up some resistance and managed to score a couple of tries through Fijian-born wingers Jone Naikabula and Semisi Masirewa. Fiji’s fullback, Sireli Maqala, received a yellow card during this period. However, Fiji had the last word with a fifth try, courtesy of replacement scrumhalf Frank Lomani.
Japan’s fate seemed sealed early on with Labuschagne’s red card, reminiscent of the incident that led to Michael Leitch’s red card against Samoa two weeks prior, resulting in a 24-22 loss for Japan. Fiji’s performance showcased their exceptional skill and class on the field, making them a force to be reckoned with.
Following their triumph in the Pacific Nations Cup, Fiji is preparing for the Rugby World Cup with matches against tournament host France on August 19 in Nantes and England on August 26 at Twickenham. Meanwhile, Japan’s final warmup before the World Cup will be against Italy on August 26 in Treviso.
In another Pacific Nations Cup match held in Apia, Samoa redeemed themselves after a heavy defeat to Fiji the previous weekend. They bounced back with a resounding victory against Tonga, with a final score of 34-9. Samoa took control of the game after a closely contested first half, where they held a slender 13-9 lead. The team’s dominance was evident as they scored four tries, including those from flanker Miracle Fai’ilagi off a rolling maul, center Duncan Paia’aua, and replacement scrumhalf Melani Matavao, who capitalised on a lineout error.
The much-awaited Rugby World Cup is scheduled to kick off in Paris on September 8. Both Fiji and Samoa will be among the nations vying for glory in this prestigious global event. Fiji’s impressive form and Samoa’s strong comeback in the Pacific Nations Cup have set the stage for an exciting and competitive World Cup, with teams showing their mettle and determination to succeed on the international stage.
