mens
pacific-nations-cup
Fiji are one win away from another Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup title after beating Canada 45-29 in an electric semi-final. It was the first leg of a clash at Osaka’s Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Saturday with hosts PNC Japan download on USA in the second game.
The Flying Fijians won the PNC crown the last time the event was held in Japan two years ago, before successfully going back-to-back. Joji Nasova starred as Fiji claimed more silverware with a six-point win over Japan on September 21, 2025.
Tevita Ikanivere captained Fiji to those titles, and led the side again on Saturday as they looked to take another step towards more PNC history. Fiji and Canada walked past the trophy, before lining up for the national anthems.
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula started the match with the kickoff and Canada inbounded the ball and took it to the ground. But in the blink of an eye, Fiji’s Kitione Salawa didn’t just turn defense into attack; the last player ended up scoring on the first attempt.
Canadian scrum-half Jason Higgins tried to get the team out of danger, but Salawa was quick and managed to charge. Salawa then beat Spencer Jones to the ball and also stayed inside the field of play – just.
It appeared to be a matter of millimeters between the ball and the touchline, but Salawa did what was needed as Fiji got off to a dream start in the semi-finals. Armstrong-Ravula added the extras from goal and the reigning champions led 7-0 very early on.
It was all Fiji’s way at the start as they stretched their lead less than five minutes into the contest. Winger Mansa Mataela broke down the left edge, before the Flying Fijians recycled the ball and found more space a few phases later.
Olympic silver medalist Joji Nasova was released into space before slotting in scrum-half Frank Lomani, who ran in the second try of the contest. Armstrong-Ravula went two for two on goal kicks – a bigger reward for a dominant passing game.
But Canada refused to throw in the towel. Fullback Takoda McMullin had a cross inside the 22 but was stopped about five meters from the line, but the Canadians kept their composure and continued to press down the stretch of the game.
Backrower Masson Flesh moved into the box and McMullin converted the try in front. Canada pushed for more points and Kyle Tremblay burst through the defensive line with a moment of individual brilliance, but Fiji stood tall.
No points were scored for the next 15 minutes, until Armstrong-Ravula connected with Mataele for the tournament-winning try. Mataele missed one defender with a strong run and quick feet, before receiving a basketball pass to the fly-half in space.
Canada reduced the deficit slightly in the 26thth minutes from the penalty by McMullin, who knocked it into the left post. The teams traded a try each, Peni Ravai and Sion Parry, before walking off the field at half-time.
Fiji led 26-17 at the break but their strong start to the second term put them on course for another PNC finals appearance. Ikanivere and Motikiai Murray crossed for a try five minutes apart, leading by 21 points with the bench still full.
The game had just passed the 60 minute mark when Fiji’s Motikiai Murray peeled off a maul to score his second try in quick succession. Murray missed a defender before reaching the line, Fiji’s seventh try of the match.
But Canada’s resilience was a constant theme throughout the match, and once again, the team ranked 24th in the world rugby continued to fight. Tremblay headed in a corner and then Flesh finished off a spectacular individual effort.
Fiji played the final three minutes down two men after Isoa Nasilasila and debutant Terio Tamani were booked for separate offences. After an off-field review by the TMo, Nasilasila’s yellow card was upgraded to a red.
By the end of the match, although Fiji had won with a rather clinical performance, Canada’s captain Lucas Rumball led the way with a number of carries and tackles.
