The FIJI Water Flying Fijians triumphed over Japan with a score of 41-17 in a thrilling match at Hanazano Rugby Stadium in Osaka, Japan, clinching the 2024 Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday night.
Fiji’s victory was fueled by two tries each from Vuate Karawalevu and Ponipate Loganimasi, along with a try from Albert Tuisue and successful conversions by Caleb Muntz. The match was tied at 10 at halftime, but captain Tevita Ikanivere praised his team’s resilience in the second half.
“Japan came out firing in the first 20 minutes, and that was their strength,” Ikanivere commented, recognizing that the Japanese defense weakened as the match progressed, allowing Fiji to seize the momentum needed to secure the win.
Ikanivere anticipated Japan’s strong start and credited the team’s bench players, referred to as the “bomb squad,” for their crucial contributions in the latter part of the game. He emphasized that the players had built trust among themselves leading up to the final and continuously supported one another during the match.
The captain highlighted the importance of their preparations against scenarios such as Japan’s anticipated aggressive opening. Despite Japan’s initial scoring, Ikanivere noted that focus and trust among the team helped them bounce back strongly to achieve victory.
This win marked Fiji’s sixth Pacific Nations Cup title. Notably, this year’s team primarily comprised locally-based players who gained experience with the Fijian Drua before representing the national side.