Jones backs Japan's attacking evolution ahead of third straight PNC Final against Fiji

Eddie Jones has identified Japan’s increased attacking versatility as the defining improvement of their 2026 season, with the Brave Blossoms set to face Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup Final in Tokyo this weekend — their third consecutive meeting with the Flying Fijians in the tournament’s title match.

Japan arrive at the final on the back of a commanding 63-14 victory over the USA Eagles in Osaka, a performance in which they led by 28 points inside 16 minutes. Backrower Ben Gunter described it as probably the “best start in Japanese history,” while fullback Sam Greene contributed 23 points to underline the depth of Japan’s attacking threat.

“I think the real growth in our game is our ability to attack like Japan and to do that under different circumstances,” Jones told reporters. “I think we’ve become a much more adaptable team in attack and we’re an attacking team. I think that consistency in our attack has been really good this year.”

Fiji claimed the Pacific Nations Cup when the finals were last held in Japan, then defended the trophy at the 2025 edition in Utah. Jones is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge, but believes this is among the most experienced squads he has fielded.

“100 per cent concentration is on winning the final. It’s the third final we’ve been in in a row,” Jones said. “We’ve got good experience, good toughness in the team, and we’re looking forward to a really physical, fast performance against Fiji.”

Jones has made several changes to the forward pack for the decider. Jack Cornelsen shifts from No. 8 to lock, where he will partner Harry Hockings of Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath, with Michael Storberg named among the replacements. Faulua Makisi comes into the starting lineup in the back row alongside flankers Kanji Shimokawa and Gunter, while the front row of Sojiro Otsuka, Mamoru Harada and Shuhei Takeuchi remains intact.

In the backs, Tomoki Osada takes the No. 11 jersey on the wing, with Inoke Burua starting on the opposite flank. Greene retains the fullback position at No. 15. Captain Naoto Saito will direct play from scrum-half as Japan seek to end their run of final defeats and claim the Pacific Nations Cup for the first time under Jones.

This will be Japan’s sixth appearance of 2026, a season that has also included a two-test series against Australia and a centenary match against Canada to mark the JRFU’s 100th anniversary.