The Flying Fijians are just one match away from securing the Pacific Nations Cup title once again. Under the guidance of coach Mick Byrne, the team showcased their resilience by defeating a determined USA squad 22-3 in their semi-final clash held in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday night.
The Flying Fijians are set to face the winner of the Japan vs. Samoa semi-final, which was played late last night as this article went to press, in Osaka, Japan, on Sunday.
Byrne emphasized that their journey is not finished yet, stating, “The job’s not done yet.” He noted the importance of reviewing their performance to prepare for the final.
The coach lauded his team’s effort, acknowledging the challenging nature of the game against the USA. Flying Fijians No.10 Caleb Muntz praised his teammates for their hard work in achieving the win, despite the challenges they faced, including Muntz taking over captaincy duties after Tevita Ikanivere received a yellow card.
The duo of Muntz and rookie fullback Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula formed a promising playmaking partnership, successfully penetrating the USA’s defense. Despite initial struggles with lineout throws from Ikanivere, who was later penalized for a dangerous play, Fiji’s defense ultimately thwarted many attempts from the USA to convert their chances into points. The Flying Fijians excelled in scrums and physical play, which contributed to their advantage over the U.S.
Byrne expressed pride in his players’ performances, particularly highlighting Elia Canakaivata’s contributions during critical moments in the match.
In another match, Tonga wrapped up their competition on a high note by defeating Canada 30-17 in the fifth-place play-off, extending their winning streak against Canada to five matches.
The ‘Ikale Tahi initially faced difficulties, but player-of-the-match Patrick Pellegrini helped them dominate, leading to tries from flanker Siosiua Moala and winger John Tapueluelu. Canada managed to score but Tonga maintained their composure, resulting in Josiah Unga extending their lead before Tapueluelu capped off the match with another try.
Tonga’s captain Ben Tameifuna expressed pride in their performance, noting their hard work and emphasizing their focus on the World Cup in Australia as their main objective.