The Flying Fijians are on the brink of defending their title at the Pacific Nations Cup after a hard-fought victory against the USA, winning 22-3 in the semi-final held in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday night. Under the guidance of coach Mick Byrne, the team is now set to face the winner of the Japan vs. Samoa match, which was played late last night in Osaka, Japan.
Byrne acknowledged the work still ahead, stating, “The job’s not done yet,” and emphasized the need to review their mistakes to prepare for the final. The match proved to be challenging, with the coach anticipating a strong performance from the USA.
Caleb Muntz, who stepped in as captain following Tevita Ikanivere’s yellow card, shared his thoughts on the match, praising his teammates for their resilience. The dual playmaking partnership of Muntz and rookie fullback Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula showed promise, successfully breaking through the USA’s defense despite earlier struggles from Ikanivere in lineout throws.
Although Fiji faced handling errors that provided the USA with scoring opportunities, their strong defense became increasingly effective as the game progressed. The Flying Fijians excelled in scrums, and their solid tackling took a toll on their opponents amid the challenging conditions.
In a separate match, Tonga concluded their competition on a winning note, defeating Canada 30-17 in the fifth-place play-off and extending their winning streak against them to five matches. After a shaky start, Tonga, led by player-of-the-match Patrick Pellegrini, showcased their attacking prowess.
Flanker Siosiua Moala opened the scoring with a try from a lineout maul, followed by a spectacular score from winger John Tapueluelu. Despite a brief response from Canada’s Andrew Quattrin, Josiah Unga’s try gave Tonga a 19-10 lead at halftime.
Although Canada pressured in the second half and scored once through Takoda McMullin, Tonga’s defense held firm. Tapueluelu added another try to secure the victory.
Captain Ben Tameifuna expressed pride in the team’s efforts, stating that this win serves as a stepping stone towards their ultimate goal of the World Cup in Australia.