This Saturday, the Hanazono Rugby Stadium will host an exciting showdown as Japan faces Fiji in the final of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024. Both teams have shown impressive form, winning all their matches in the tournament and securing their spots in the final with strong semi-final performances.
Fiji, the most successful team in the competition’s history with five titles, boasts the top try-scorer of the tournament and has established the toughest defense. Japan enters the match confident after a dominant semi-final victory over Samoa, aided by their home crowd support in Osaka Prefecture.
Prior to the final, the stadium will also host a third-place play-off featuring the USA against Samoa, as both teams look to finish their tournament on a high note.
The upcoming final will mark the 20th encounter between Japan and Fiji, with the latter winning 15 of the previous 19 meetings. Fiji has been victorious in five of the last six games against Japan, including a 35-12 win last August.
Fiji’s prowess in the Pacific Nations Cup is underscored by their five championship titles, the most recent of which was in 2018. Japan has claimed the title three times, most recently in 2019.
Fiji enters the final riding a wave of momentum, having not allowed a single point in the second half of their matches during the tournament. In their semi-final against the USA, they dominated the game after an early penalty against them.
On the other hand, Japan has shown remarkable improvement under coach Eddie Jones, winning all their lineouts and demonstrating clinical accuracy in their semi-final win against Samoa, with seven tries from just 11 visits inside their opponents’ territory.
Both teams will also contend for World Rugby Men’s Rankings points during this match. Fiji could climb to ninth place with a win, depending on the outcome of the Australia-New Zealand match, while Japan could move up to 12th or drop to 14th.
Fiji has made one change to their lineup, with Ilaisa Droasese starting on the wing. Japan’s only adjustment involves adding uncapped player Junta Hamano to the replacements bench.
The match will be officiated by Nic Berry, who has refereed Japan three times with two wins and one loss to their record while Fiji seeks its first victory under his refereeing. The anticipation is high for what promises to be a thrilling final.