JOJI Nasova scored two tries and Fiji captured a second consecutive Pacific Nations Cup men’s rugby title today, defeating Japan 33–27 at Salt Lake City.
Fiji took a decisive 33–10 lead on Nasova’s try early in the second half before holding off a furious Japan onslaught in the final minutes.
The Fijians stretched their record Cup title total to seven and took the event’s first back-to-back crowns since they won four in a row from 2015–2018.
“We overcame a tough Japanese side that came back on us in the second half,” Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere said.
“Proud of the pace they had and the discipline they brought, proud of the boys just working hard for each other.”
Last year Fiji routed host Japan 41–17 in last year’s final and have now won the titrle seven times. This is their first back to back win since the four in a row from 2015–2018.
“It’s a final. There are no positives when you don’t get the result you want,” Japan coach Eddie Jones said.
“For our young team it’s a hard pill to swallow. We played well in the second half but let Fiji get away too far in the first half.”
Fiji coach Mick Byrne was excited about defending the trophy.
“(It was) just the fight we had at the end. We were down a couple cards. Things didn’t seem to be going our way out on the field but the boys dug deep, defended well under a bit of pressure and had some composure to come back at the end and control the game.”
In the third-place match, Patrick Pellegrini scored three tries and kicked five conversions to lead Tonga over Canada 35–24 for their best showing in the event since 2018.
In the first leg of a 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifier, Chile and Samoa played to a 32–32 draw.
The two-leg aggregate series to determine the penultimate qualifier for the showdown in Australia will be completed next weekend in Chile.
With content from AFP