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Fiji are up to Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup Deciding 2026, bringing the beginning of the “nightmare”. Canada en route to a 45-29 victory in Osaka. But Canadian captain Lucas Rumball still put in an almighty shift, leading the game in turnovers, defenders beaten and tackles.
“I’m just trying to get as much work done as possible,” Rumball said RugbyPass after the game, after a fairly modest guess, teammate Mason Flesch topped the charts. Flesch scored two tries in an 80-minute shift, but Canada’s 31-year-old captain was also impressive.
The Flying Fijians led by 28 points in the game with less than 20 remaining, showing just how dominant defending champions PNC were for long periods. But Rumball still finished with a whopping 19 carries, seven defensive tackles and 15 tackles.
Flesch was next best on the caries leaderboard, but still had seven less than Rumball. The Test veteran with more than 60 caps in Canada red also made three more tackles than man-of-the-match Motikiai Murray, with possession fairly evenly split between the teams.
“Like any shortstop, you’re just trying to find the ball, find where you’re needed, get around the park,” Rumball said.
“Probably 20 minutes into that game I blew a bit, it makes sense now.”
Rumball and Ben LeSage are the only players on this Canadian team to go to 2019. Rugby World Cup in Japan and then going through the heartbreak of the lack of quality for the last edition held three years ago in France.
But as Canada prepares to return to next year’s World Cup in Australia, the Pacific Nations Cup will serve as a valuable opportunity for even more high-level scoring. Canada has a 1-1-1 record in three matches during the brand new Nations Rugby World Cup in July.
Canada had a one-sided 45-point loss Japan in Niigata, but conceded in 30 seconds against Fiji. Kitione Salawa tried to clear the ball, before regrouping and managing to stay inside the field of play.
“Just refocus. Obviously not the start you want, picture perfect for them and for us I think it’s a nightmare,” mused the captain.
“It’s just about moving on. There’s nothing you can do to change it, it’s what you do next.”
Frank Lomani added to Fiji’s lead about four minutes later, but the Canadians managed to come back. Flesch went down for an important five in the seventh minute, before defender Takoda McMullin later knocked over a penalty.
Open flanker Sion Parry scored just before the break and Canada trailed by nine in the sheds. Fiji went on a 19-point unanswered run early in the second term, but Canada again managed to come back with 12 points.
Kyle Tremblay and Flesch each scored a try as the side sat in the 24thth place in the World Rugby rankings, he continued to look for more points. Canada finished with more turnovers won and a slightly better percentage of completed matches.
“I’m really proud of the boys. We’ve stepped up since last week (against Japan).
“Am I satisfied with the performance completely? No. We still have a lot to work on, there are still basic mistakes we make. We have to really tighten it up if we want to compete, although it was a good step forward for the younger group.”
