The Flying Fijians are on the brink of defending their title in the Pacific Nations Cup after a hard-fought semi-final victory over the USA, winning 22-3 in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday night. Coached by Mick Byrne, the team will face the winner of the Japan vs. Samoa semi-final in Osaka on Sunday.
Byrne emphasized that the job is not finished, stating that they will review their mistakes and prepare for the final. The coach acknowledged the tough nature of the match and credited his players for their effort against a strong USA team. Following a yellow card issued to captain Tevita Ikanivere, Caleb Muntz stepped up as playmaker and captain, showcasing a promising partnership with rookie fullback Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.
Fiji faced struggles with handling errors that allowed the USA some attacking opportunities, but their strong defense proved effective in limiting points for their opponents. The Flying Fijians excelled in the scrums, and Byrne praised players like Elia Canakaivata for their hard work during critical moments.
In other news, Tonga maintained their winning streak against Canada, claiming a 30-17 victory in the fifth-place play-off. The ‘Ikale Tahi, led by player-of-the-match Patrick Pellegrini, overcame a slow start to secure the win with tries from Siosiua Moala, John Tapueluelu, and Josiah Unga. Despite pressure from Canada in the second half, Tonga’s defense held firm, allowing only one try from the opposition. Captain Ben Tameifuna expressed pride in the team’s performance, marking it as a key step towards their ultimate goal of the World Cup in Australia.