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Fiji failed another Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup title, with the players left “forced” after a 20-15 loss to Japan in Tokyo. Brave Blossoms full-back Samisoni Tua scored what proved to be the match-winner late on as the hosts dominated possession in the final 10.
After an 0-3 streak during July Nations Championship matches, the Flying Fijians focused on another defense of the PNC title. They claimed a clinical victory with a score of 45-29 Canada in the semi-finals last weekend – giving themselves a shot at more silverware.
But Brave Blossoms, who put up 63 points at no. 14 the USA Eagles in Osaka, produced a title-winning effort in front of a loud home crowd. Ben Gunter was awarded man of the match and captain Naoto Saito was named player of the tournament.
Fiji had just 36 percent possession during the decider, including 27 percent possession in the crucial final 10-minute period. They were successful on 63 percent of their lines, turned the ball over a dozen times, took 14 penalties and missed 24 tackles on the night.
“We’re so exhausted (that) we couldn’t get the job done today as defending champion PNC. Japan was good that day. We played with heart, out there,” Lomani said RugbyPass.
“We talked about discipline, bonding and just being physical. I thought we brought that in the first half and we couldn’t capitalize on the play when we had it.”
Japan set the tone early with some set-piece dominance, with the pack winning multiple penalties in scrum time and finding success with their roll. Fiji conceded an early penalty, seeing Sam Greene knock over a penalty inside seven minutes.
But the Flying Fijians hit back almost immediately, with outside center Virimi Vakatawa running over one defender and carrying four more over the try line. Caleb Muntz added the extras as the then-defending champions took a four-point lead.
The game took another turn when Mesake Doge was booked in the 18th minuteth minute, and the Brave Blossoms made the most of their one-man advantage. Mamoru Harada went down for the points a few minutes later.
Fiji did go into the break by two, as captain Tevita Ikanivere raced down the left touchline to score from a set-piece. But the second half was largely controlled by Japan, who scored 10 to three.
“We knew this week what Japan was going to bring. Defensively, we knew they were going to play fast, they were going to play wide,” Lomani said.
“We defended really well as a team in the first half, but again, a few mistakes on our part in the second half allowed them to get back into the game.
“When they got the ball … they took their opportunities and converted them into tries.”
Fiji will take plenty of lessons from the PNC campaign, as they would after the Nations Championship tests earlier this year. They were defeated by Wales, England and Scotland during that international period, with those matches played in Great Britain.
“A couple of games where we came up short, but then again, that’s rugby sometimes. You can’t win everything. As a team, all we can do is give it our all.
“We have a new coaching staff, they came in, we had to adapt to a new style of play and all that.
“I would say we played really well, we just couldn’t finish.”