mens
pacific-nations-cup
Japan are up to Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 Final after losing to USA 63-14 at Osaka’s Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Saturday. The Brave Blossoms will play for the title in front of their home crowd in Tokyo, where they will face defending champions Fiji.
There were some similarities in how the semi-finals played out, with both Fiji and Japan race to an early lead before their North American opponents hit back. Fiji led 45-17 with less than 20 minutes remaining, but the Canadians hit back with two late tries.
Fiji are chasing another PNC title, with captain Tevita Ikanivere helping the team claim silver two years ago in Japan and again at the 2025 edition in the United States. But the Flying Fijians will face a confident Japan side, who gave the Osaka crowd plenty to cheer for on Saturday.
USA trailblazer Marno Redelinghuys took the opening kick of a wet evening, but the physicality of each shot was matched by an equally intense defensive tackle – with the sound of each contact heard throughout the stadium.
Mitch Wilson then tried to clear the ball, but the Eagles fullback returned the ball back to the 22 before sending it in for a touchdown. The Brave Blossoms lined up and turned that attacking opportunity into points.
Yuya Hirose crashed over for the first points in the first minute, starting a 28-0 run for the home team. Inoke Burua got a turn soon after, which helped set up second-rower Mike Stolbery in the second minute.
Sam Greene went on the counter-attack 10 minutes from time and Kanji Shimokawa was among the players to help spread the ball around. Outside center Dylan Riley got the ball in space, raced away and extended the Brave Blossoms’ lead to 21-0.
Japan weren’t done there either, with Mamoru Harada collapsing from a roll in the first quarter. But after a brief lull in play, the USA fought their way back into the contest with confident attacking play.
The USA unleashed a wave of attacking pressure in the 24th minute of the match, which was their best chance for points so far. Japan were penalized inside their own 22 – Ruben de Haas and the Eagles looked to make the most of the momentum they had earned.
De Haas helped drive the team around the park with some quick passes as the pack progressed with decisive tackles. Shilo Klein ended up scoring an important try for the Eagles, who were back on the halfway line looking eager to get going again.
There was more to cheer for the USA fans in the crowd about 10 minutes later, with outside center Tavita Lopeti showing incredible strength to score. For a moment Lopeti appeared to be stopped around the 22-yard line, but the midfielder was far from it.
Lopeti fought through several successive tackles as he ran about 20 meters to the house for the crucial five. Chris Hilsenbeck added the extras after the kick, and the Eagles cut their former 28-point deficit in half.
But Japan had the last break for a point at the break, with Soujirou Ootsuka the last scorer before the break. Greene knocked over the conversion as the Brave Blossoms took a clinical 35-14 advantage into the sheds.
It was a dream start to the second half for the Brave Blossoms, with captain Naoto Saito making a long break in the run before Riley set up for the second half. Greene remained perfect after the game as the hosts held on to a 28-point lead.
The USA went down to 14 men eight minutes later, with captain Jason Damm booked for a high tackle. Japan had a try disallowed early in those 10 minutes, but the home side extended their lead before Damm hit back.
Jack Cornselsen and Esei Haangana scored, crossing the 50-point barrier with more than 20 minutes left in the semifinal. Eddie Jones was seen on the big screen smiling after Greene pounced on another Brave Blossoms try.
Cornselsen was booked for a high tackle on Wilson with less than five minutes remaining, but the Brave Blossoms’ defense stepped up, with no more points scored before the end of the period. Japan is up to the PNC decider, which will be played in Tokyo next weekend.
