The Flying Fijians are on the brink of defending their title in the Pacific Nations Cup after a spirited 22-3 victory over the USA in the semi-final held in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday night, under the guidance of coach Mick Byrne.
Fiji will face either Japan or Samoa in the final, which will take place on Sunday in Osaka, following their semi-final clash that was scheduled to occur late last night.
“Job’s not done yet,” Byrne stated after their win. He emphasized the need to review their mistakes and prepare thoroughly for the final.
Byrne acknowledged the challenge posed by the USA, crediting his players, particularly fly-half Caleb Muntz, who stepped in as captain after Tevita Ikanivere received a yellow card. Muntz and rookie fullback Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula effectively penetrated the American defense, although Ikanivere struggled initially with lineout accuracy before his penalty.
Fiji contended with handling errors that allowed the USA some attacking opportunities, but as the game progressed, their resilient defense stifled the Americans’ scoring chances. Fiji maintained dominance in the scrums, showcasing physicality that wore down the USA under the sweltering conditions.
“It’s great to see our players work hard in crucial moments in the game. Especially Elia (Canakaivata), he did a great job indeed,” Byrne added.
In another match, Tonga concluded their campaign on a high note, extending their winning streak against Canada to five games with a 30-17 victory in the fifth-place play-off.
Despite a slow start, Tonga, led by player-of-the-match Patrick Pellegrini, demonstrated their offensive capabilities. Siosiua Moala opened the scoring with a try from a lineout maul, followed by a brilliant effort from winger John Tapueluelu, who dodged three defenders to score another try.
After Canada responded with a try from veteran hooker Andrew Quattrin, Josiah Unga further increased Tonga’s lead, finishing the first half 19-10. The Maple Leafs controlled the second half but could manage only one score, while Tapueluelu sealed the match with his second try.
Captain Ben Tameifuna expressed pride in the team’s performance, stating, “After all our efforts in the last couple of weeks, I think we deserved a win. The boys worked hard for it. This is a stepping stone for ‘Ikale Tahi – our main objective is the World Cup in Australia.”