The Flying Fijians, despite being the current champions of the Pacific Nations Cup, are entering the final against Japan as underdogs this Sunday in Osaka. Under the guidance of coach Eddie Jones, the Japanese team is riding a wave of confidence following their 49-27 semi-final victory over Manu Samoa in Tokyo.
Japan’s impressive performance showcased their ability to play attacking rugby, resulting in six tries compared to Samoa’s three. Coach Jones has set the bar high for his players, insisting they must win the final to bring home the trophy for the first time since 2019. He emphasized the need for improvement in defensive tactics around the ruck to secure their victory against a formidable Fijian side.
In the semi-final, Japan dominated the first half, scoring four tries while Samoa managed just one. Dylan Riley opened the scoring for Japan after five minutes, following a period of sustained pressure. Samoa’s Elisapeta Alofipo received a yellow card for an illegal tackle, allowing Japan to convert a penalty try. Further tries followed from Tomoki Osada and Seungsin Lee, who not only scored but was also named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
Samoa, despite facing difficulties, managed to respond with a try from Tuna Tuitama and added two penalty goals from Rodney Iona, keeping the game competitive at halftime. However, Japan’s Lee made his mark in the second half with another try assisted by flanker Kanji Shimokawa, extending their lead.
Samoa fought back with a try from halfback Melani Matavao, and although they continued to threaten, Japan’s Shinobu Fujiwara and Taichi Takahashi rounded off their scoring, sealing the victory. Lee’s exceptional performance included maintaining a perfect conversion rate throughout the tournament.
After the match, Samoa captain Theo McFarland acknowledged that their discipline issues contributed to their downfall. He pointed out that handling errors and struggles at set pieces disrupted their momentum, which ultimately affected their performance during the critical stages of the game.