The Flying Fijians are on the verge of defending their Pacific Nations Cup title after a hard-fought victory over the USA, winning 22-3 in the semi-finals held in Tokyo, Japan. The match took place on Saturday night, showcasing a determined effort from both teams.
Fiji will now face the winner of the Japan-Samoa semi-final, which was scheduled to be played late last night in Osaka, Japan. Following the semi-final victory, coach Mick Byrne emphasized that their work is not yet finished. “Job’s not done yet,” he stated, indicating the team’s commitment to analyzing their performance and preparing for the upcoming final.
Byrne acknowledged the challenging nature of the match, expressing appreciation for the defensive effort of his players. The team’s No.10, Caleb Muntz, who stepped in as captain after Tevita Ikanivere received a yellow card, praised his teammates for their perseverance.
Despite Fiji’s handling errors that provided the USA with scoring chances, Fiji’s robust defense thwarted those opportunities as the match progressed. The Flying Fijians excelled in scrums, dominating the game physically.
In another match, Tonga concluded their competition with a victory against Canada, claiming a 30-17 win in the fifth-place playoff. After struggling initially, Tonga quickly showcased their capabilities, with flanker Siosiua Moala scoring the first try. Winger John Tapueluelu added a stunning try shortly after.
Canada managed to narrow the score through veteran hooker Andrew Quattrin, but Tonga maintained their lead at halftime with Josiah Unga’s try. The second half saw Canada pressuring Tonga’s defense, but they could only score once. Tapueluelu sealed the game with his second try.
Tonga’s captain, Ben Tameifuna, expressed pride in their effort, calling the victory a stepping stone towards their main goal of performing well at the upcoming World Cup in Australia.