The Flying Fijians, despite being the defending champions of the Pacific Nations Cup, are considered the underdogs heading into Sunday’s final against Japan in Osaka. The Japan team, coached by Eddie Jones, is riding high after a commanding 49-27 victory over Manu Samoa in the semi-finals held in Tokyo.
During the semi-final, Japan demonstrated an impressive display of fast-paced, attacking rugby, scoring six tries compared to Samoa’s three. Head coach Jones is focused on leading his team to victory in the final, emphasizing the need to strengthen their defensive strategy around the ruck if they wish to reclaim the trophy, which they last won in 2019. “While we are pleased to reach the final, our primary goal is to win it,” Jones stated, acknowledging the challenge posed by Fiji.
The first half of the semi-final saw Japan taking control with four tries against Samoa’s one. Dylan Riley broke the deadlock early, benefiting from a well-placed kick by Seungsin Lee. Japan maintained dominant possession, and a penalty try was awarded following Samoan winger Elisapeta Alofipo’s sin-bin for an illegal tackle.
Lee played a pivotal role, assisting in multiple tries, including his own just before halftime, as Japan’s clean offensive phases created space for scoring opportunities. Samoa, despite being on the back foot, fought valiantly with Tuna Tuitama scoring while down a player, and Rodney Iona adding penalty points to keep them competitive.
The second half continued at a frenetic pace, with Lee’s strategic plays resulting in additional scoring opportunities, including a try by Kanji Shimokawa. Samoa responded with a try from Melani Matavao but struggled to maintain momentum due to handling errors and discipline issues, according to their captain Theo McFarland.
As the match progressed, Japan capitalized on their opportunities effectively, securing both tries and conversions. Despite their defeat, Samoa exhibited resilience throughout the encounter, leaving room for improvement as they regroup ahead of future competitions.