Japan edge Fiji 20-15 to seal Pacific Nations Cup as Stolberg's maul mastery proves decisive

Japan secured the Pacific Nations Cup with a hard-fought 20-15 win over Fiji at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday, with head coach Eddie Jones crediting a dominant maul and resolute defence for seeing his Brave Blossoms side through in greasy conditions.

Jones acknowledged that Japan’s attack never fully clicked on the day, but their set-piece superiority more than compensated. The opening try came directly from a maul, with hooker Mamoru Harada crossing, and a second powerful drive in the final ten minutes created the platform for Samisoni Tua to score the match-winning try and seal the title.

“We couldn’t get our attack going,” Jones admitted, but pointed to the structural advantage Japan held over an opponent not traditionally known for set-piece strength. “Every country has got their strength and weakness and Fiji aren’t a traditional set-piece team. So, if we play against Fiji, we’ve got a set-piece advantage. Forwards generally in the PNC have developed their maul ability really well.”

Jones was quick to single out substitute lock Michael Stolberg, who came on in the second half for Harry Hockings and immediately made his presence felt. “He came on and made a real difference to the team,” Jones said. “Stolberg is a great story. He’s 34, has played in a number of teams, never been a representative player. Coming into this team this year at the age of 34, and he’s going through a golden period.”

The Toshiba Brave Lupus forward only made his Japan debut in July against Italy in the Nations Championship, with his first start arriving in a try-scoring performance against the USA earlier in the PNC. Jones praised the Australian-born lock’s commitment to Japanese rugby as the defining factor in a late-career renaissance few could have anticipated.

Looking ahead, Jones was measured about how transferable the set-piece blueprint will be. Japan are set to tour Europe, where they will face sides with markedly different strengths. “That won’t be the case when we go to Europe,” Jones said. “Then we’re playing against different teams with different strengths. But for this tournament, it was very important.”