Fiji kicked off their Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 campaign on Friday with a 42-16 win against Samoa. Photo: World Rugby
The Pacific's top three playing rugby teams will all be featuring in Tokyo this weekend, as the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) moves to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Fiji, Samoa and Tonga completed three rounds of roun-robin matches in the Pacific Pool over the past three weekends, with games spread across Suva, Apia and Nuku'alofa.
The Flying Fijians topped the pool with two wins, while Manu Samoa toppled Tonga to finish runner-up.
On the other side of the revamped competition draw, Canada, Japan and the United States of America battled it out in the Asia Pool.
Japan topped with two wins and USA claimed second spot with a win over Canada.
That means Tonga and Canada, the bottom placed teams, will meet in the wooden spoon clash for fifth spot, while Fiji takes on USA and Japan battles Samoa in the two semi-finals.
Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo will host all three matches this weekend, with two taking place on Saturday and one on Sunday, as the Finals Series gets underway.
Tonga and Canada kick off what should be a fascinating weekend of rugby by competing for fifth place on Saturday evening (New Zealand and Tonga time), before Fiji and USA take centre stage for the first of the semi-finals, late that night.
Japan's fans fans will have to wait until Sunday evening before seeing the Brave Blossoms in action in the second semi-final against Samoa.
Byrne says D and ball in hand key
The Fijians have won five PNC titles, more than any other team, having lifted the trophy for the first time in 2013 and again in four of the subsequent six editions.
They are also the defending champions.
Head coach Mick Byrne told journalist at a news conference on Thursday, his side will need to start well, keep the ball in hand and defend for 80 minutes.
He said he was pleased with the fitness level shown by the players in their two matches so far, hoping they can carry that onto the game against the Americans.
"Fitness is probably something that's been very pleasing for us," Byrne said.
"We were able to put some good points on against Samoa in the second half, and we're able to put some good points on aganst Tonga
"The ability to play late into the game, and also under pressure, being able to continually get around the corner and put pressure on.
The Flying Fijians were made to work hard in Nuku'alofa on Friday, before three second-half tries made sure of a 50-19 defeat of Tonga and top spot in Pool A. Photo: World Rugby
He said the Fijians have been working on a few thing in defence.
"We're trying to continually come forward and come forward as a team and put pressure on. And that's a challenge because sometimes it's uncomfortable for players to be put in those areas, but they're working really hard, and they're doing doing really well at training and drilling it very well, and they're getting more comfortable every week."
Byrne expects the Eagles to have a different approach to the game, which he says will present a different challenge.
"Every week's a different proposition, a different opposition, and this week's going to bring its own set of challenges around our defence," he said.
"It's going to be a little bit more physical, and they're (Fiji) going to have to get off the line well and make our tackles."
He said USA will be a well-structured and physical outfit.
He acknowledged the physicality and discipline of the USA team, stating that Fiji must be prepared to meet them head-on.
"They're a very well-structured team. They played well and are drilled really well, as all USA teams are," he said.
"We have to meet them physically, but also ensure that we maintain possession in attack because of their strong defensive structure."
Byrne said a focus this week has been on retaining possession and not giving the ball away in 50-50 situations.
"I think we want to hang on to the ball and we play well when we can hang on to the ball for a number of phases, and that's something we have to be disciplined about," Byrne said.
"We saw a few 50-50 offloads and last week we threw a couple of balls into touch, and they came back to bite us against Tonga, and they come back to bite you against any team.
"And a team that's as physical as the States are, we can't be giving them any free shots. So hanging onto the ball and being disciplined to play our game and not throw away those 50-50 offloads is going to be a big part of our game."
Flying Fijians lineup: 1 Eroni Mawi, 2Tevita Ikanivere (c), 3 Samuela Tawake, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 6 Ratu Meli Derenalagi, 7 Kitione Salawa, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Caleb Muntz, 11 Epeli Momo, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 13 Iosefo Balewairiki Masi, 14 Vuate Karawalevu, 15 Isaiah Ravula; Reserves: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Apisalome Vota, 23 Ilaia Droasese
USA will take on Fiji in Saturday's opening semifinal in Tokyo. Photo: World Rugby
Eagles improve
Current Men's Eagles captain Greg Peterson is one of the few survivors from the last meeting in 2014.
Fiji won that match 20-14, on neutral ground in Vannes, and have five wins to USA's one in the overall history of the fixture.
That year was also USA's best finish in the PNC, at second.
But they have shown some glimpses of hope with their two games so far.
They beat Canada 28-15 in their opening match of the tournament in Los Angeles, before succumbing to a 41-24 defeat to Japan in their second game in Kumagaya City.
World Rugby said hard-carrying number eight, Jamason Fa'anana-Schultz, and playmaker Luke Carty have been two standout performers in a team that likes to keep the play tight and utilise the strength of their set-piece.
USA will rise three places to 16th if they can shock Fiji and Tonga don't beat Canada. If the latter happens, USA would have to be content with a two-place gain.
Tenth-placed Fiji won't receive any additional points for beating a side ranked nine places and just over 10 points below them.
Former Wales Sevens international Toby Fricker makes his test debut at full-back in a USA starting XV showing eight changes, plus a change of captain.
Last week's double try-scorer, Nate Augspurger, wears the armband in the absence of second-row Greg Peterson, who drops to the bench.
Under20s star, Rand Santos, will win his first cap if called upon from the bench.
The side have some players of Pasifika descent in their match-day 23 including lock Viliami Helu and centre Tavite Lopeti, who have Tongan heritage plus number eight Thomas Tu'avao, of Samoan origin.
Replacements include Tongan heritage players Kapeli Pifeleti and Tesiomni Tonga'uiha.
World Rugby said Welshman Craig Evans takes charge of his 13th test and his first involving USA, as referee. He was in charge when Fiji beat Georgia 21-12 in July.
Eagles lineup: 1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Sean McNulty, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Viliami Helu, 5 Jason Damm, 6 Paddy Ryan, 7 Cory Daniel, 8 Thomas Tu'avao, 9 Ruben de Haas, 10 Chris Mattina, 11 Nate Augspurger, 12 Tavite Lopeti, 13 Dominic Besag, 14 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Toby Fricker; Reserves: 16 Kapeli Pifeleti, 17 Jake Turnbull, 18 Pono Davis, 19 Greg Peterson, 20 Tesimoni Tonga'uiha, 21 Bryce Campbell, 22 Rand Santos, 23 JP Smith
Samoa will know that to be successful on Sunday they must find a way to disrupt Japan's unflappable number 10. Photo: World Rugby
Samoa's chance to avenge loss
Manu Samoa gets the chance to avenge their Rugby World Cup Pool D loss to Japan in Toulouse last September, when the two teams meet on Sunday.
Back then it was Japan winning 28-22, after winger Ben Lam was red carded and the Samoans finished the game one man down.
However, Samoa have won twice as many matches as Japan overall (12-6), and have an impressive P10, W7, L3 record against the Brave Blossoms in Japan.
A loss to Fiji and a win over Tonga is Samoa's PNC record this year but they also warmed up with Test wins over Spain and Italy in June.
Under new coach Mase Mahonri Schwalger the Samoans are rebuilding, with majority of their 2023 RWC squad members left out of their campaign so far.
Schwalger has gone for new players, adding to some Moana Pasifika reps and a few older hands to provide experience and leadership.
World Rugby said Samoa are a close second to Fiji in terms of most Pacific Nations Cup titles with four, the last of which was in 2022.
Having surrendered a 16-15 half-time lead to lose 42-16 to Fiji in round one, Samoa bounced back to beat Tonga 43-17 in round two.
Overall, Samoa have scored as many points as they have conceded (59).
Three-quarters of the oppositions' points have come in the second half, so the chances are Samoa will need to be in a strong position at half-time if they are to make it through to the final.
Japan's is first in Pool B and plays semifinal against Samoa on Sunday. Photo: World Rugby
Japan in need of speed
With three PNC titles won, Japan have the third best record in the competition behind Fiji and Samoa. The Brave Blossoms last lifted the trophy in 2019.
But coach Eddie Jones, who had a disastrous RWC 2023 campaign with the Wallabies, achieved the first win of his second spell in charge of the Brave Blossoms when Japan beat Canada 55-28 in Vancouver in round one.
The Brave Blossoms then made it two wins out of two to qualify for the semi-finals as Pool B winners with a 41-24 win at home to USA in round three.
Japan have been heavily penalised at scrum time but their lineout is functioning at 100% (23/23), with second-rows Sanaila Waqa and Warner Dearns in outstanding form.
The speed with which Japan have been playing has made them a joy to watch and they are joint-highest try scorers, along with Fiji on 13.
With Seungsin Lee yet to miss a shot at goal (14/14), they are the team to beat in the competition.
A win for Japan would see the Finals Series hosts swap places with Samoa, with the Brave Blossoms up to 13th.
Samoa, meanwhile, will move above Georgia into 12th place if they win.
Tonga v Fiji in the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup clash in Nuku'alofa. 6 September 2024 Photo: Tonga Rugby Union
Tonga in search of first win in 2024
The 'Ikale Tahi of Tonga meets Canada on Saturday, before the first semi-final.
Against Canada, the battle is expected to be another tough one for the men from the Friendly Islands.
The Tongan coaching team of Tevita Tu'ifua and Nili Latu have not won a game this year, with losses to Spain, Italy, Fiji, Samoa and the Reds so far.
A win against Canada would be a boost, especially as they also have Test matches lined up against Potugal, Romania and USA on their November Europe tour.
Tonga are on a four-game winning streak against Canada, including a 2-0 Test series win in Nuku'alofa last August.
Canada's last win was 36-27 in Ontario at World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2013.
The two teams' long wait for a maiden Pacific Nations Cup title will continue for another year after they failed to make the semi-finals.
Tonga have finished runners-up on three occasions (2011, 2017, 2018), while Canada also have a best finish of second in 2013.
World Rugby said the Tongans have suffered from errors in both their two PNC matches so far, losing to Samoa (43-19) and Fiji (50-19).
They were forced to play catch-up rugby in both, having fallen 29-0 behind at the start of the first half against Samoa and 19-0 inside 12 minutes against Fiji.
Stymied by a misfiring lineout, Tonga have struggled to build scoreboard pressure and have both the worst attack and defence in terms of tries and points scored or conceded.
Head coach Tu'ifua has made six changes to his starting XV - two of them positional - for Saturday's game, including a second test start at blindside for 35-year-old flanker Siosiua Moala.
Tonga will once again be led by Ben Tameifuna, who starts his 10th consecutive test at tight-head.
Replacement back Kafaikamoana Vaea is set for his test debut having been named on the bench.
Tonga's lineup: 1 Jethro Felemi, 2 Sosefo Sakalia, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 4 Harison Mataele, 5 Tevita Ahokovi, 6 Siosiua Moala, 7 Tupou Afungia, 8 Lotu Inisi, 9 Aisea Halo, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 11 John Tapueluelu, 12 Fetuli Paea, 13 Fine Inisi, 14 Nikolai Foliaki, 15 Josiah Unga; Reserves: 16 Penisoni Fineanganofo, 17 Salesi Tuifua, 18 Tau Koloamatangi, 19 Kelemete Finau, 20 Vutulongo Puloka, 21 Manusiu Paea, 22 Latu Akauola, 23 K Vaea
PNC 2024 Canada v Japan. PNC 2024 Photo: World Rugby
Canada struggles to find form
Canada find themselves in the fifth-place play-off after finishing bottom of Pool B following two straight defeats at the hands of Japan (55-28) and USA (28-15).
World Rugby said no other team can hold a light to Canada at scrum time, as they have a 100% record on their own feed in 2024. However, they will need to find more of a clinical edge after only coming away with six tries from 23 visits into the opposition in this tournament.
Canada will move back into the world's top 20 if they sign off on a winning note.
Tonga cannot improve on their present position of 16th as there aren't enough points on offer to catch Portugal.
Canada's starting XV includes three news faces from the defeat to USA - as well as a host of positional changes - in blindside flanker Matthew Oworu, left wing Josiah Morra and full-back Cooper Coats.
Replacement prop Tyler Matchem will make his test debut if called upon from the bench.
Canada's lineup: 1 Calixto Martinez, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Conor Young, 4 Kaden Duguid, 5 Mason Flesch, 6 Matthew Oworu, 7 Ethan Fryer, 8 Lucas Rumball, 9 Jason Higgins, 10 Peter Nelson, 11 Josiah Morra, 12 Ben LeSage, 13 Takoda McMullin, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Cooper Coats; Reserves: 16 Dewald Kotze, 17 Cole Keith, 18 Tyler Matchem, 19 Callum Botchar, 20 Siôn Parry, 21 Brock Gallagher, 22 Mark Balaski, 23 Talon McMullin