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pacific-nations-cup
Fiji they couldn’t start their Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup title defense even better, and underdog Kitione Salawa scored less than 30 seconds into the semi-final clash with Canada in Osaka.
The Flying Fijians won the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup with a six-point win over the Brave Blossoms in Utah and also won silverware the last time the event was held in Japan two years ago.
After an 0-3 start to the Nations Championship, the Flying Fijians returned to the Test Arena on Saturday afternoon. Tevita Ikanivere led the team onto the field at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium as Fiji and Canada cruised past the PNC Trophy.
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula started the match with the kickoff, and Canada rumbled in possession and put the ball on the ground. Jason Higgins tried to get the Canadians out of danger, but Salawa was quickly deflected wide of the goal.
Salawa was able to bring down, then Canada’s Spencer Jones in a run for the loose ball, before coming close to the touchline again. But the blind winger managed to stay inside the box, landing the ball seemingly millimeters from the paint.
Armstrong-Ravula stepped up the conversion attempt from the touchline, and the number 10 was accurate from the tee. Fiji led 7-0 with barely a minute on the clock, and it didn’t take long for the defending champions to extend that lead.
Fiji prepared for a scramble in their own half, before sending the ball past Manasa Mataele on the wing. Mataele broke down the left edge before being taken to the ground, but the Fijians found space again two phases later.
Olympic silver medalist Joji Nasova raced down the field before receiving a half-time pass from Frank Lomani, who slotted in for the second try of the match. But Canada hit back next, cutting the deficit to seven with a try from converted Mason Flesch.
No points were scored in the next 15 minutes, and the Canadians were fighting for possession until halftime. But then, almost out of nowhere, the Fijians added to their lead through Armstrong-Ravula.
Mataele beat one defender before passing to the playmaker, who had nothing but open pasture in front of him. Canada responded with a successful penalty attempt by Takod McMullin, making it a nine-point game.
Fiji and Canada traded a try each before the break, with Fiji leading by a clinical 26-17. The Flying Fijians dominated the territory in the game but also conceded more tackles than the Canadians by that stage.