The Flying Fijians are just one match away from reclaiming the Pacific Nations Cup. Under the guidance of coach Mick Byrne, the team secured a hard-fought 22-3 victory over a determined USA squad in the semi-final held in Tokyo, Japan on Saturday night.
The Flying Fijians are set to face the winner of the Japan-Samoa semi-final, which took place late last night, in Osaka, Japan on Sunday.
“The job’s not done yet,” Byrne stated following the semi-final. “We will review our mistakes and prepare for the final.”
Byrne acknowledged the challenging nature of the match, noting that they anticipated a tough fight from the USA. “Credit to the boys for getting the job done. It was tough, but we managed to deliver on our preparations,” said Flying Fijians No.10, Caleb Muntz, who stepped up as captain after Tevita Ikanivere received a yellow card.
Muntz and rookie fullback Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula showcased their potential as playmakers, effectively finding gaps in the USA defense. Ikanivere faced difficulties early in the game as several of his lineout throws went awry, leading to his yellow card for a dangerous clear-out.
Despite Fiji’s handling errors giving the USA some attacking chances, the team’s strong defense made it increasingly difficult for the Americans to convert those opportunities into points. Fiji dominated in the scrums, and their powerful tackles took a toll on the USA players, who were challenged by the heat.
“It’s great to see our players working hard in key moments of the game, especially Elia (Canakaivata), who performed exceptionally,” Byrne added.
In other news, Tonga concluded their campaign on a high note, extending their winning streak against Canada to five games by clinching a 30-17 victory in the fifth-place play-off. After a slow start, the ‘Ikale Tahi, led by player-of-the-match Patrick Pellegrini, demonstrated their offensive capabilities.
Flanker Siosiua Moala scored the first try just 10 minutes into the match from a 5-meter lineout maul, followed by winger John Tapueluelu, who showcased his skills by outmaneuvering three defenders for a second try.
After Canada’s Andrew Quattrin reduced the gap, Josiah Unga extended Tonga’s lead before halftime, leaving them with a 19-10 advantage at the break. Despite Canada dominating the second half, they only managed to score once. Tapueluelu sealed the match with another try.
“After all our efforts in the past weeks, we certainly deserved this win,” Tonga captain Ben Tameifuna remarked post-match. “The boys worked hard for it. This victory serves as a stepping stone for ‘Ikale Tahi, as our main objective is the World Cup in Australia.”