Eddie Jones identifies ‘real growth’ in Japan’s game ahead of PNC Final

TOKYO: Japan coach Eddie Jones has highlighted the “real growth” in the Brave Blossoms’ game ahead of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup Final, as they look to snap a string of defeats in title deciders against the Flying Fijians.

Fiji claimed the Pacific Nations Cup trophy when the finals were last held in Japan, before defending that crown at the 2025 edition in Utah. Japan were beaten in both finals, and they will meet the defending champions again this weekend in Tokyo.

The Brave Blossoms are coming off a clinical 63-14 win over the USA Eagles in Osaka, with the home side having raced out to a 28-point lead after just 16 minutes. Backrower Ben Gunter told RugbyPass post-game that it was probably the “best start in Japanese history.”

Sam Greene finished with a 23-point haul as Japan charged into the final with a confidence-building performance. The Australian-born fullback will wear the No. 15 jersey again against Fiji, but Jones has made some changes to the matchday 23.

This will be the sixth time the Brave Blossoms take the field in 2026. The season has included a two-match series against the Wallabies and the JRFU’s 100^th anniversary match against Canada, leading Jones to identify the biggest growth area of the side.

“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.”

Jones has reshuffled the forward pack ahead of the PNC Final, with Jack Cornselsen shifting from No. 8 to lock. Cornelsen will pack down in the second row alongside Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath’s Harry Hockings, with Michael Storberg providing cover off the bench.

Faulua Makisi has been brought into the run-on side, joining flankers Kanji Shimokawa and Gunter in the loose forwards trio. Sojiro Otsuka, Mamoru Harada and Shuhei Takeuchi will again make up the front-row combination.

There has been a change on one wing, with Tomoki Osada set to wear the No. 11 jersey, while Inoke Burua will line up on the other edge. Captain Naoto Saito leads the side from scrum-half, as the Brave Blossoms look ahead to the latest instalment of this PNC rivalry.

“100 per cent concentration is on winning the final. It’s the third final we’ve been in in a row,” Jones said.

“It’s a good opportunity for the team to grow. If you look at the number of caps, it’s probably one of the most experienced teams we’ve had this year, at least.

“We’ve got good experience, good toughness in the team, and we’re looking forward to a really physical, fast performance against Fiji.”