Fiji Water Flying Fijians fly-half Caleb Muntz delivered an outstanding performance in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup final, leading his team to a 41-17 victory over hosts Japan, clinching their sixth consecutive title.
At just 24 years old, Muntz was a key player in the final and received the Player of the Tournament award for his remarkable efforts. Despite having only nine Test matches to his name, he demonstrated impressive composure throughout the match.
Muntz’s efforts included seven successful goal kicks, 11 carries, and 10 tackles, reflecting his versatility and significant impact on the game. He played a vital role in his team’s late scoring surge, cementing the win convincingly.
In a post-match interview with RugbyPass media, Muntz attributed the team’s success to their focus on fitness and their ability to close out games. He acknowledged that in the past, the team struggled to maintain their performance in the second half, but their commitment to improving their fitness has made a difference.
“The last couple of years, especially since I’ve been in the team, there’s been a real focus on our fitness; being able to close games,” he noted. “I think it showed the fruits of that labor that we’ve been putting in over the last couple of years. Especially in this tournament, we’ve been more of a second-half team than a first-half team.”
Faced with a formidable Japan team that had been averaging 48 points per game, Muntz emphasized the need for the Flying Fijians to adapt their defensive tactics.
“Their (Japan’s) backline is quick and highly skilled. Coming into this game, as a Pacific Island team, we’re known for our physicality, but we recognized that we needed to be more structured and cohesive on defense,” he explained.
Looking ahead, the Flying Fijians will shift their focus to the upcoming Autumn Internationals, where they are set to compete against Scotland, Ireland, and Wales in November. Their first match is scheduled for November 3 against Scotland.