Eddie Jones makes three changes as Japan target Pacific Nations Cup title against Fiji

Eddie Jones has named a reshuffled Japan side for the Pacific Nations Cup Final against defending champions Fiji at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday, making three changes to the starting XV that dismantled the USA Eagles 63-14 in Osaka.

The most notable positional switch sees Jack Cornelsen move from No. 8 to lock, where the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights back-rower — son of Wallabies great Gary Cornelsen — will form a second-row partnership with Harry Hockings. The former Australia Under-20 international, who has spent multiple seasons with Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath in Japan Rugby League One, retains his place in the run-on side as Michael Stolberg drops to the bench.

Faulua Makisi, who caught the eye with an impactful cameo off the bench against the Eagles, is rewarded with a starting berth at No. 8. He completes a loose forward trio alongside flankers Ben Gunter and Kanji Shimokawa.

Jones has made one change to the backline, handing Tomoki Osada a wing start. Osada joins Inoke Burua and Sam Greene in the back three; Greene was in fine form in the semi-final at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, contributing more than 20 points to the victory. Yuya Hirose and Dylan Riley continue their centre partnership, with captain Naoto Saito directing play at scrum-half and Ryunosuke Ito at fly-half.

The front row of Sojiro Otsuka, Mamoru Harada and Shuhei Takeuchi is unchanged, with Kenji Sato, Sena Kimura and Takumi Inaba providing front-row cover from the replacements bench.

Fiji arrive in Tokyo as the reigning Pacific Nations Cup champions, making Saturday’s final a stern test of how far Jones has taken the Brave Blossoms since returning to the role. The USA Eagles and Canada will also feature in the double-header, contesting the third-place play-off.