Fiji power past Canada 45-29 to reach third straight Pacific Nations Cup final

Fiji moved to within one win of a third straight Pacific Nations Cup title after dismantling Canada 45-29 in a pulsating semi-final at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka on Saturday.

The Flying Fijians, who claimed back-to-back PNC crowns in the two previous editions of the tournament — most recently with a six-point win over Japan on 21 September 2025 — were dominant from the opening seconds. Backrower Kitione Salawa set the tone with a charge-down try inside the first minute, latching onto a blocked kick from Canada scrum-half Jason Higgins and staying just inside the touchline by what appeared to be millimetres to score.

Fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula converted from wide out, and Fiji were not done. Less than five minutes later, Olympic silver medallist Joji Nasova found space and fed scrum-half Frank Lomani for the second try of the afternoon, with Armstrong-Ravula again adding the extras to make it 14-0.

Canada refused to fold. Fullback Takoda McMullin drove hard into the Fijian 22, and although he was stopped short, the Canadians maintained their composure through the phases until backrower Masson Flesh powered over. McMullin converted from in front to give the Canadians a foothold in the contest.

Fiji responded with a try-of-the-tournament contender. Armstrong-Ravula linked with winger Mansa Mataele, who beat a defender with powerful running and quick feet before offloading with a basketball pass to put the fly-half over in space. Canada trimmed the gap with a McMullin penalty that crept in off the left upright, but Fiji’s lead remained commanding at the interval.

The second half continued in a similar vein, with tries exchanged on both sides — Peni Ravai among the scorers — as Fiji ultimately pulled clear to win by 16 points. Captain Tevita Ikanivere, who led the side to both previous PNC titles, marshalled his team throughout and will now look to complete a historic treble in the final.

Fiji’s opponents in the decider will be determined by the outcome of the second semi-final between hosts Japan and the USA, which was played later the same day at Hanazono.