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pacific-nations-cup
TOKYO: Fiji completed their captain’s run in Tokyo on Friday, finalizing their preparations ahead of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup Final against Japan. The Flying Fijians are the reigning champions but remain eager for more success.
It is a famous game in the decider of the Pacific Cup of Nations, with Fiji and Japan competing in the big dance in the last two editions of the tournament. The Flying Fijians won silver in Japan two years ago, before defending that crown in Utah 2025.
The Flying Fijians progressed beyond the semi-finals with a 43-29 win against the Braves Canada side in Osaka last weekend. Kitione Salawa helped the defending champions get off to a dream start in PNC, scoring the opening try less than 30 seconds into the test.
Canada made several comebacks but the Flying Fijians did enough to secure their place in the final, ready to play a confident Brave Blossoms side, who are coming off a clinical 63-14 win against USA Eagles.
“Our goal is clear, we are here to win,” Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere told reporters after training in Tokyo.
“We prepared, we did everything we could during this week to prepare well.”
Interim Fiji coach Senirusi Seruvakula added: “The game is very important for us… we, like the Japanese team, want to win and also encourage the players we have – they want to show their talents so they can be considered for the upcoming Nations (championship) in November.”
The Flying Fijians snapped an 0-3 run to start the 2026 international season, holding on for a convincing win over Canada at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium. Salawa and Frank Lomani scored in the first five minutes, before Canada stormed back.
Japan raced to a relentless 28-0 first quarter lead against the USA before piling on more points in an even more dominant second half. It comes as little surprise to hear that Fiji are aiming for a strong start to the match on Saturday night.
“For us, our focus is just to start well … and then finish strong at the end. But to do that, we have to be precise,” Seruvakula said.
“We know that the Japanese, in their DNA, are fast, they want to have the ball for long periods of time.
“We just have to bring our physicality to the game.”
Seruvakula made some changes in the Game 23 win over the Canadians, with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula moving from halfback to fullback. That change brought Caleb Muntz into the running, ready to wear the No. 10 jersey.
Muntz starts in the halves alongside Lomani, and will play an interchangeable role with Armstrong-Ravul. Both players are capable of playing at 10 and 15, and the dual playmaker option adds another dimension to the team’s attack.
“We did that at the Nations (championships) in July, putting Isaiah at fullback,” the coach said.
“They are both important players, they are our drivers, so having them in the same (side) is very important because they can switch to 10 at any time … that is very important.”
