TOKYO: Japan took out Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup title, defeating the defending champion Fiji 20-15 in the 2026 final The Brave Blossoms have lost to the Flying Fijians in their last two deciders but ended that run in front of a loud crowd on Saturday.
Fiji conceded eight penalties in the first half alone, which gave Japan plenty of opportunities to build phases in attack and chase points. But the Brave Blossoms ended up breaking by two, turning the ball over nine times.
Japan looked supremely confident after the opening whistle as a pack of forwards laid down a marker on the set-piece. They were awarded multiple scrum-time penalty advantages and advanced off the lines with an almost unstoppable strike.
Sam Greene kicked the decisive first points, knocking down a try from the right at the 22-yard line. Up until that point it had been one-way traffic in terms of possession, with the Brave Blossoms getting some reward for being efficient before.
But around two minutes later, Greene was forced back into the Japan goal, which saw Fiji pack up for an attack five meters from the try line. It was by far their best attacking opportunity in the Test so far, and the visitors made the most of it.
Virimi Vakatawa received the ball and always looked like scoring – beating one defender and carrying three or four more over the line. Caleb Muntz added the extras as Fiji seemed to get the better of the match.
Greene had a chance to close the deficit soon after, stringing together his second at-bat of the night. The guard scored more than 20 points himself in the semifinal win over USA Eagles in Osaka, but this attempt clipped wide left of the posts.
The rest of the half was defined by a series of key moments. First, Muntz tried to kick Fiji into a promising attacking position with a 50/22 try, but the shot instead rolled over the dead ball line.
Fiji were reduced to 14 men when Mesake Doge was booked near the try line. But the ensuing lineout cost the Brave Blossoms, with the Flying Fijians instead collecting the loose ball.
But the Brave Blossoms didn’t make the same mistake twice, making the most of the offensive line inside the red zone. Mamoru Harada took a precise throw and it was the front rower who went down for five points, thanks to a maul.
Greene’s conversion extended Japan’s lead to three, but Fiji regained the lead on the scoreboard just three minutes later. Captain Tevita Ikanivere was sent flying down the left touchline in a smart move for the set – crashing over for the points.
It was 12-10 at that stage, and although the score remained unchanged before half-time, both sides seemed destined for more points. Japan dominated with 74 percent of the territory until the 35thth minute, but Fiji played with a decent amount of the ball.
Muntz sent a goal-line fumble late in the half, which saw Japan prepare to fight. The Brave Blossoms forward pack was destructive all night, but a shot from inside center Yuya Hirose ended that run of play.
Both teams tried to get the ball in to start the second half, but again Japan’s set piece looked to be the difference. The crowd let out a deafening cheer – by far the loudest of the night, at this stage – as the Brave Blossoms approached their maul.
But the Flying Fijians forced a turnover.
Referees Jordan Way awarded the scrum, yet the Tokyo crowd continued to clap, chant and cheer. Fiji had the ball, but Japan’s players were overwhelmed by the breakdown, winning their own penalty for a steal and deciding to pack up for the fight.
Fiji tackled with an 85 per cent completion rate, yet again the away team remained strong on the defensive side of the ball. But all that attacking pressure from Japan, which was continuous for about 10 minutes, eventually led to something.
Fullback Ben Gunter crossed for the crucial score, before kicking the ball into the air – all while the already loud crowd celebrated the moment. Greene missed the conversion, but still, the Brave Blossoms were leading for the first time since 25.th minutes.
There were few themes in the first half that when Japan took the lead, Fiji quickly hit back. And this time it was no different – Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula leveled the score at 15-all with a successful penalty attempt with 15 minutes remaining.
Japan lined up inside the Fiji 22 with less than 10 minutes remaining, and the ensuing scrum appeared to go several meters before stopping. It was Samisoni Tua who got to the line for the important try.
The Brave Blossoms seemed to control both possession and territory in the final 10 minutes, while the Flying Fijians were only allowed to play in their own half.