Salawa's 30-second charge-down try gives Fiji a flying start against Canada in PNC semi-final

Kitione Salawa needed less than 30 seconds to put Fiji ahead in their Pacific Nations Cup semi-final against Canada at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka on Saturday, charging down a Jason Higgins clearance kick and winning the race to the loose ball before grounding it millimetres from the touchline.

Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula converted from the touchline to make it 7-0 before a minute had elapsed, and the defending champions were not finished there. A wide ball to winger Manasa Mataele opened up the left edge, and two phases later scrum-half Frank Lomani touched down to double the advantage — with Olympic silver medallist Joji Nasova providing the assist.

Canada refused to fold. A Mason Flesch converted try cut the deficit to seven, and the Canadians went on to shade the possession battle as the half wore on. Fiji responded through Armstrong-Ravula, who received a pass from Mataele with open space ahead of him and ran in the third try. A Takoda McMullin penalty pulled Canada back to within nine.

The two sides traded one further try each before the interval, leaving Fiji with a 26-17 lead at the break. The Flying Fijians dominated territory in the opening 40 minutes but also conceded more missed tackles than their opponents — a detail that will give Canada encouragement heading into the second half.

Fiji arrive at this tournament as back-to-back Pacific Nations Cup holders, having won the 2025 edition with a six-point victory over Japan in Utah and claiming silverware the last time the event was staged in Japan two years ago. Tevita Ikanivere captained the side on Saturday, with the Flying Fijians looking to shake off a difficult Nations Championship campaign in which they went winless in three matches.