The Flying Fijians, despite being the reigning champions of the Pacific Nations Cup, will enter Sunday’s final as underdogs against Japan in Osaka. Under the guidance of coach Eddie Jones, the Japanese team is riding a wave of momentum following a decisive 49-27 victory over Manu Samoa in the semi-finals held in Tokyo.
Japan showcased a strong performance, scoring six tries compared to Samoa’s three, highlighting their focus on fast-paced, attacking rugby. Jones has set a clear ambition for his players, insisting they must emerge victorious in the final against Fiji. He emphasized the need for improvement in defense, particularly around the ruck, to secure the trophy, which they have not won since 2019.
“While we are happy to be in the final, our sole goal is to win it,” Jones stated. He acknowledged the quality of their opponents and expressed confidence in their preparation leading up to the match.
In their semi-final clash, Japan dominated the first half, scoring four tries before Samoa could respond with one. Dylan Riley opened the scoring early on, capitalizing on sustained pressure. The match took a turn when Samoan winger Elisapeta Alofipo received a yellow card, allowing Japan to add a penalty try.
Japan continued to press, with Lee’s strategic kicking setting up several tries, including one from Tomoki Osada and another by Lee himself just before halftime. Despite being under pressure, Samoa fought back with a try from Tuna Tuitama and two penalties from Rodney Iona to remain competitive at the half.
In the second half, Lee continued his impactful play, assisting in another try before Samoa responded with a score from Melani Matavao. However, Japan’s Shinobu Fujiwara extended the lead, and despite Samoa managing a counter-attack try from Lalomilo Lalomilo, Japan maintained their control and capped off the match with a final try from Taichi Takahashi.
Samoa’s captain, Theo McFarland, reflected on the game, attributing their defeat to a lack of discipline. “It wasn’t about effort, but rather our discipline in the early stages, which affected our momentum,” he noted.