The Flying Fijians are on the brink of defending their Pacific Nations Cup title following a formidable victory over 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 will face either Japan or Samoa in the final scheduled for Sunday in Osaka.
“Job’s not done yet,” Byrne stated after the semi-final match. He emphasized the need to analyze their performance and rectify mistakes in preparation for the final.
Byrne acknowledged the challenge posed by the USA, crediting his team for their determination. “Credit to the boys for getting the job done. It was tough, but we managed to implement our game plan,” noted Flying Fijians No. 10 Caleb Muntz, who stepped up as captain after Tevita Ikanivere received a yellow card.
Muntz, along with rookie fullback Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, demonstrated a strong dual playmaking partnership, effectively carving through the opposition’s defense. Ikanivere faced difficulties early on with inaccurate lineout throws and was penalized for a dangerous clear-out.
Despite struggling with handling errors that provided the USA openings, Fiji’s defense grew stronger as the match progressed, making it increasingly difficult for the USA to score. The Flying Fijians excelled in the scrums, and their aggressive tackles took a toll on the American players under the sweltering heat.
“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 remarked.
In other news, Tonga concluded their competition on a high note, securing a 30-17 victory over Canada in the fifth-place playoff, extending their winning streak against the team to five matches. Following a sluggish start, Tonga, led by player-of-the-match Patrick Pellegrini, demonstrated their attacking prowess, with flanker Siosiua Moala scoring the first try after 10 minutes.
Tonga’s John Tapueluelu added another try shortly after, showcasing his ability to evade defenders. Although Canada made a comeback with a try from veteran hooker Andrew Quattrin, Josiah Unga extended Tonga’s lead before the break, giving them a 19-10 advantage.
Though Canada pressured in the second half, they could score only once, with Takoda McMullin crossing the line, while Tapueluelu capped off the match with his second try.
“After all our efforts in the last couple of weeks, I think we deserved a win,” said Tonga captain Ben Tameifuna. “The boys worked hard for it. This is a stepping stone for ‘Ikale Tahi – our main objective is the World Cup in Australia.”