Tonga

24 - 62

Full Time

Japan

Japan vs Tonga

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

The 80 minutes is up! The referee has blown their whistle to end the second half.

80'

The referee is running towards the posts and a penalty try is given to Japan.

78'

Yellow Card

Siaosi Nai (Tonga) is shown a yellow card

78'

This is dangerous for the defence as Dylan Riley bursts through to advance the Japan attack.

78'

Veikoso Poloniati comes on.

77'

Justin Mataele comes off.

77'

Conversion

Seungsin Lee has kicked a conversion.

77'

Try

Japan are stopped just a few metres from the try line but Keijiro Tamefusa picks up from the base of the ruck to score the try.

76'

A gap opened in the defence and Ben Gunter took full advantage.

74'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Siaosi Nai getting some game time.

73'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Sonatane Takulua being replaced.

73'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Tau Koloamatangi getting some game time.

73'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Siegfried Fisi'ihoi being replaced.

73'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Kenta Fukuda getting some game time.

72'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Shinobu Fujiwara being replaced.

72'

Conversion

Seungsin Lee has kicked a conversion.

72'

Try

A series of passes by Japan results in a try for Kenji Sato

71'

That's a great try assist by Ben Gunter.

71'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with James Faiva getting some game time.

71'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Nikolai Foliaki being replaced.

71'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Justin Mataele getting some game time.

71'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Veikoso Poloniati being replaced.

71'

Japan make a substitution with Tiennan Costley coming on.

66'

Japan make a substitution with Kanji Shimokawa coming off.

66'

The defensive line has been broken as Nikolai Foliaki goes through the gap.

64'

Japan sub Waisake Raratubua comes onto the field.

63'

Jack Cornelsen departs for Japan.

63'

Patrick Pellegrini curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the right.

63'

Try

Great hands by Tonga leads to a try for John Tapueluelu

62'

The defensive line has been broken as John Tapueluelu goes through the gap.

62'

Spellbinding play by Patrick Pellegrini is finished off with a try.

62'

The defensive line has been broken as Sonatane Takulua goes through the gap.

61'

Japan sub Keijiro Tamefusa comes onto the field.

60'

Shuhei Takeuchi departs for Japan.

60'

Sosefo Sakalia comes on for Tonga.

58'

Samiuela Moli leaves the field.

58'

Penalty Goal

Seungsin Lee adds the points for Japan.

58'

Kenji Sato comes on for Japan.

58'

Hayate Era leaves the field.

58'

What a run here by Kanji Shimokawa as they get over the gainline!

57'

Tevita Ahokovi comes on for Tonga.

56'

Fotu Lokotui leaves the field.

56'

Faulua Makisi comes on for Japan.

55'

Amato Fakatava leaves the field.

55'

Yuya Hirose comes on for Japan.

55'

Charlie Lawrence leaves the field.

55'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Seungsin Lee kicks the conversion.

55'

Yellow Card

Tupou Ma'afu-Afungia (Tonga) is shown a yellow card

54'

Try

Nothing was going to stop Shinobu Fujiwara from scoring as they record the try for Japan.

54'

What a run here by Shuhei Takeuchi as they get over the gainline!

53'

Seungsin Lee steps up to take the penalty but pulls it wide and to the right.

52'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Ryosuke Iwaihara getting some game time.

49'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Kenta Kobayashi being replaced.

49'

Penalty Goal

Seungsin Lee makes no mistake with that penalty goal attempt.

49'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Josiah Unga getting some game time.

47'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Uilisi Halaholo being replaced.

47'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Solomone Tukuafu getting some game time.

46'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Ben Tameifuna being replaced.

46'

Conversion

Seungsin Lee adds the two points for Japan.

42'

Try

A clever kick there by Japan allows Dylan Riley to collect the ball and touch down for the try.

41'

Fabulous play by Japan has led to Dylan Riley being able to wriggle through a gap.

41'

Shinobu Fujiwara played a key part in that try.

41'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

Tonga sub Harison Mataele comes onto the field.

39'

Tevita Ahokovi departs for Tonga.

39'

Conversion

Patrick Pellegrini does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

38'

Try

The pick and go results in a try for Tonga as Veikoso Poloniati goes over.

37'

That's a great try assist by Tupou Ma'afu-Afungia.

37'

Conversion

Seungsin Lee does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

33'

Try

The pressure has finally told as Warner Dearns scores from close range.

32'

Trouble here as Warner Dearns breaches the defence.

31'

Spellbinding play by Shinobu Fujiwara is finished off with a try.

31'

Conversion

Patrick Pellegrini makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

26'

Try

The pressure has finally told as Ben Tameifuna scores from close range.

25'

Tevita Ahokovi comes on.

25'

Harison Mataele comes off.

25'

Conversion

Seungsin Lee converts the try.

18'

Try

Japan are stopped just a few metres from the try line but Amato Fakatava picks up from the base of the ruck to score the try.

17'

Conversion

Seungsin Lee converts the try.

10'

Try

A series of passes by Japan results in a try for Hayate Era

Shuhei Takeuchi played a key part in that try.

A gap opened in the defence and Shuhei Takeuchi took full advantage.

Patrick Pellegrini has hooked the conversion to the left of the posts.

Try

Tonga are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Fotu Lokotui touching down.

The defensive line has been broken as John Tapueluelu goes through the gap.

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Tonga v Japan 
  
 Semi Final 
  
 Sun 14th September 2025, 04:35pm CDT 
  
 Dick's Sporting Goods Park 
  
 Paramount+ 
  
 Luc Ramos

Points Flow Chart

Japan win +38

Time in lead

Mins in lead

% Of Game In Lead

90%

63%

Possession Last 10 min

37%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Penalty Try

78'

24 - 60

Nai

24 - 53

78'

Lee

77'

24 - 53

Tamefusa

76'

24 - 51

Lee

72'

24 - 46

Sato

71'

24 - 44

Tapueluelu

24 - 39

62'

Lee

58'

19 - 39

Ma'afu-Afungia

19 - 36

54'

Fujiwara

54'

19 - 36

Lee

49'

19 - 31

Lee

42'

19 - 28

Riley

41'

19 - 26

Half Time

Pellegrini

19 - 21

38'

Poloniati

17 - 21

37'

Lee

33'

12 - 21

Dearns

32'

12 - 19

Pellegrini

12 - 14

26'

Tameifuna

10 - 14

25'

Lee

18'

5 - 14

Fakatava

17'

5 - 12

Lee

10'

5 - 7

Era

5 - 5

Lokotui

5 - 0

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

4.8

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

5.9

Entries

Attack Profile

Tonga

Japan

More Less

Defence Profile

Tonga

Japan

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

53%

73%

3-6 secs

31%

17%

6+ secs

16%

10%

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

67'

74'

76'

78'

Tonga

Japan

Tonga vs Japan Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Tonga face off against Japan in Pacific Nations Cup Semi Final on Sun 14th September 2025 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 22:35 and is broadcast on RugbyPass TV. In South Africa it’s at 23:35 SAST on SuperSport, 09:35 NZST on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, Sky Go in New Zealand, 07:35 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 16:35 EST on Paramount+ in the US.

Japan won the last encounter but Tonga are in the best form of their last 5 games.

World Rankings

Heading into the fixture, Japan sits at 13 in the World Rugby Rankings, while Tonga holds 19.

The two sides are separated by 6 places in the rankings with Tonga in position 19 and Japan in position 13 as such Japan are favourites on paper.

Tonga vs Japan Squads

The official squads for Tonga vs Japan will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.