‘Expect the unexpected’: Canada coach previews Flying Fijians challenge

Canada coach Stephen Meehan expects the unexpected from Fiji in their Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 semi-final, but has outlined how the Canucks may be able to “frustrate” the defending champions this weekend.

Fiji claimed the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup crown when they defeated Japan 33-27 on September 20 in Utah, and the reigning champions are once again preparing to defend that title, starting with a clash with Canada in Osaka.

The Flying Fijians are looking to bounce back from a winless 0-3 run during the inaugural Nations Championship Tests in July. Meanwhile, Canada finished with a 1-1-1 record from three matches in the all-new World Rugby Nations Cup.

Canada have had another chance to play before the PNC, taking on the Brave Blossoms in the Japan Rugby Football Union’s 100^th anniversary match last Saturday. But the Canadians fell 57-12 in front of about 18,000 supporters in Niigata.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Canadians, who are now just a few days away from taking on a Flying Fijians outfit that plays with free-spirited, attacking flair. But coach Meehan believes there may be some opportunities for the Canadians to get their attack going and “disrupt” Fiji.

“Many of their top-tiered won’t be around but they’ll have a lot of players who are Drua-based players; a team that plays consistently well in a good competition in Super Rugby,” Meehan told reporters this week.

“They will be a very different challenge to the one that we faced against Japan. Japan’s very well-organised and diligent and disciplined in the way that they play. Fiji have that ability to call on their physical attributes and throw that ball around in all sorts of fashions.

“We know that they’re in a position at the moment where they are with an interim head coach, we know that Fiji’s advertised for a head coach, and they’ve brought in a new defensive coach for this tour so I’m not sure how much of an impact Dave Ellis can have in a week or two with them.

“You always expect a free spirited display and a challenge that comes in difference ways every time you play a Fijian side.

“There’s a couple of things that we can do to try and negate what they are, what they want to do. If we’re disciplined and stick with our plan, I think we can frustrate them for long periods over the course of the weekend. If we can do that, we might be able to get our attacking game into gear and see what we can do to disrupt them.

“The key message with these teams is always to expect the unexpected. You must remain diligent and disciplined with your defensive game.”

13 months out from Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia, this match between Canada and Fiji perhaps carries some extra weight. These two sides have both been drawn in Pool C along with Argentina and Spain, although Meehan expects a different Fiji side to play at the event.

The Flying Fijians have gone with a Drua-heavy squad for the PNC, with Olympic silver medallist Joji Nasova recently re-signing with the Super Rugby Pacific side. But as the coach explained, these high-level hit-outs can only be a good thing for the Canadians moving forward.

“The best thing about these games is you’re playing against quality sides,” Meehan said.

“That’s really testing us and giving us a better understanding of where we’re at and where we need to continue to push.”