Japan snatch Pacific Nations Cup title as Fiji's second-half discipline crumbles in Tokyo

Japan claimed the Pacific Nations Cup title with a 20-15 win over defending champions Fiji in Tokyo, with Samisoni Tua’s late try proving the decisive score as the Brave Blossoms controlled the final ten minutes of the contest.

Fiji scrum-half Frank Lomani described his side as “gutted” after the defeat, acknowledging that a disciplined first-half performance ultimately gave way to costly errors after the break. “We’re so gutted we couldn’t finish off the job today as a PNC title defender. Japan were good on the day. We played our hearts out out there,” Lomani said.

The Flying Fijians had arrived at the final in form, having beaten Canada 45-29 in the semi-finals the previous weekend. But the statistics from the decider told a difficult story: Fiji held just 36 per cent of overall possession, dropping to 27 per cent in the crucial final ten minutes, while conceding 14 penalties and missing 24 tackles across the 80.

Japan set the tone early through set-piece dominance, with Sam Greene converting a penalty inside seven minutes. Fiji responded when outside centre Virimi Vakatawa powered over, carrying four defenders with him, and Caleb Muntz added the conversion to put the visitors four points ahead. The momentum shifted when Mesake Doge was shown a yellow card in the 18th minute, and Mamoru Harada crossed during the one-man advantage to put Japan back in front.

Fiji still led by two at half-time after captain Tevita Ikanivere scored down the left sideline from a set-piece play. But Japan outscored them 10-3 in the second half, with Tua’s try sealing the result late on.

“First half, as a team we defended really well, but then again, a few of our mistakes in the second half allowed them to come back into the game,” Lomani said. “When they got the ball… they used their opportunities and they converted into tries.”

Ben Gunter was named Player of the Match for Japan, while captain Naoto Saito took the Player of the Tournament award. The result caps a strong tournament for the Brave Blossoms, who had earlier put 63 points past the USA Eagles in Osaka.

For Fiji, the defeat adds to a difficult year that included a 0-3 run in the Nations Championship earlier in 2025. Lomani acknowledged the lessons to be taken from the campaign, with the Flying Fijians pointing to their second-half discipline as the area most in need of improvement ahead of future Tests.