The FIJI Water Flying Fijians showcased a dominant performance in the semi-final of the Pacific Nations Cup by defeating Canada 63-10 in Denver, Colorado. This impressive victory secured their place in the final against Japan, set to take place in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Fijians built an overwhelming 43-3 lead by halftime with tries coming from Taniela Rakuro, who scored twice, Mesake Vocevoce, Etonia Waqa, Kalaveti Ravouvou, and Eroni Mawi. In the second half, Joji Nasova added to his team’s tally on debut, and Ravouvou completed his hat trick, earning the Player of the Match honors. Additionally, Kemu Valetini’s precision from the tee played a significant role, with a 73 percent success rate in conversions.
Head coach Mick Byrne expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting their strong start and the intent shown throughout the match. Captain Tevita Ikanivere echoed this sentiment, praising the team’s execution and commitment to discipline, especially while handling two yellow cards.
The semi-final victory against Canada mirrored past performances where the Flying Fijians demonstrated strategic precision and physical dominance—key elements in their rugby prowess under Byrne’s leadership. This display of consistency and depth in skills positions Fiji as a formidable contender for the championship.
As they prepare to defend their title against Japan, Fiji carries momentum from previous successes in the Pacific Nations Cup. Their upcoming encounter against Japan, who defeated Tonga 62-24 in their semi-final, promises to be an exhilarating clash of rugby excellence.
The anticipation surrounding this match is fueled by Fiji’s relentless pursuit of excellence, as they aim to crown their efforts with another championship victory—a testament to their resilience and adaptability on the Pacific rugby stage.
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