Fiji and Japan name teams for Pacific Nations Cup final

The Pacific Nations Cup final is upon us, and it’s a rematch of last year’s Osaka epic, this time to be played out in Utah. Now, the team sheets are in.

With both finalists, Japan and Fiji, running up 62- and 63-point scorelines, respectively, in the semi-final stage, the teams are both heading to the final in flying form.

Fiji’s 41-17 triumph in the same fixture a year ago is sure to be in the back of both teams’ minds, but Eddie Jones’ youthful Japan side has got some meaningful runs on the board in the time since, and again tore through the pool stages in 2025, outscoring their opposition by 68 in just the two Tests.

Fiji’s team naming sees Caleb Muntz back at 10, after an impact role in the semi-finals, while injured former All Black Seta Tamanivalu is replaced by Fiji’s hat-trick hero of the semi-final, Kalaveti Ravouvou, who shifts from wing to centre. Mesake Doge has been named to start after his semi-final red card was overturned by an independent disciplinary committee this week.

For Fiji, one change in the pack sees Faulua Makisi promoted to the starting unit on the blindside flank, while the outside backs have been shuffled with Haruto Kida and Ichigo Nakakusu joining Tomoki Osada in the starting XV. The team has opted against the 6/2 bench split they utilised a week ago.

Head-to-Head

Last 4 Meetings

Wins

0

Draws

0

Wins

4

Average Points scored

20

37

First try wins

50%

Home team wins

50%

Fiji team to play Japan

1. Eroni Mawi
2. Tevita Ikanivere (captain)
3. Mesake Doge
4. Mesake Vocevoce
5. Temo Mayanavanua
6. Etonia Waqa
7. Elia Canakaivata
8. Viliame Mata
9. Simione Kuruvoli
10. Caleb Muntz
11. Taniela Rokuro
12. Inia Tabuavou
13. Kalaveti Ravouvou
14. Joji Nasova
15. Ponipate Loganimasi

Reserves

16. Zuriel Togiatama
17. Haereiti Hetet
18. Samu Tawake
19. Isoa Nasilasila
20. Kitione Salawa
21. Samuel Wye
22. Kemueli Valetini
23. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula

Japan team to play Fiji

1. Kenta Kobayashi
2. Hayate Era
3. Shuhei Taekuchi
4. Jack Cornelsen
5. Warner Dearns (captain)
6. Faulua Makisi
7. Kanji Shimokawa
8. Amato Fakatava
9. Shinobu Fujiwara
10. Seungsin Lee
11. Haruto Kida
12. Charlie Lawrence
13. Dylan Riley
14. Tomoki Osada
15. Ichigo Nakakusu

Replacements

16. Kenji Sato
17. Ryosuke Iwaihara
18. Keijiro Tamefusa
19. Tiennan Costley
20. Akito Okui
21. Kenta Fukuda
22. Yuya Hirose
23. Shogo Nakano

The bronze medal match between Tonga and the USA will precede the final, with 2024’s fifth-place play-off contenders, Tonga and the USA, vying for a top-three finish in 2025.

Tonga managed to at least put up 24 points of their own in their semi-final blowout loss to Japan, but the USA, who scored just 10 points last week, will have the benefit of a home crowd in Utah.

Head-to-Head

Last 4 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

0

Average Points scored

32

14

First try wins

100%

Home team wins

100%

Tonga team to play Canada

1. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi
2. Sam Moli
3. Ben Tameifuna (captain)
4. Veikoso Poloniati
5. Harison Mataele
6. Tevita Ahokovi
7. Tupou Afungia
8. Siosiua Moala
9. Sonatane Takulua
10. Patrick Pellegrini
11. John Tapueluelu
12. Fetuli Paea
13. Salesi Piutau
14. Nikolai Foliaki
15. Josiah Unga

Replacements

16. Sefo Sakalia
17. Leopino Maupese
18. Tau Koloamatangi
19. Tali Finau
20. Ephraim Tuitupou
21. Siaosi Nai
22. Uilisi Halaholo
23. James Faiva

Canada team to play Tonga

1. Calixto Martinez
2. Dewald Kotze
3. Cole Keith
4. Piers von Dadelszen
5. Izzak Kelly
6. Mason Flesch (captain)
7. 7 Siôn Parry
8. Matt Oworu
9. Brock Gallagher
10. Peter Nelson
11. Josiah Morra
12. Talon McMullin
13. Spencer Jones
14. Jack Shaw
15. Nic Benn

Replacements

16. Austin Creighton
17. Emerson Prior
18. Kyle Steeves
19. Callum Botchar
20. Matt Heaton
21. Jason Higgins
22. Noah Flesch
23. Shane O’Leary

The curtain raiser will be a consequential showdown between Samoa and Chile, with a place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup awarded to the winner of the two-Test series, which will conclude in Chile’s beautiful Viña del Mar next weekend.

Samoa team to play Chile

1. Aki Seiuli
2. Pita Anae Ah Sue
3. Michael Alaalatoa (captain)
4. Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee
5. Michael Curry
6. Olajuwon Noa
7. Alamanda Motuga
8. 8 Iokopo Mapu
9. Connor Tupa’i
10. Christian Leali’ifano
11. Latrell Ah Kiong
12. Theodore Steffany
13. Melani Nanai
14. Elisapeta Alofipo
15. Logali Visinia

Replacements

16. Ray Niuia
17. Jarred Adams
18. Bradley So’o Amituanai
19. Potu Leavasa
20. Abraham Papali’i
21. Joel Lam
22. Henry Taefu
23. Tomasi Alosio

Chile team to play Samoa

1. Javier Carrasco
2. Diego Escobar
3. Iñaki Gurruchaga
4. Santiago Pedrero
5. Javier Eissmann
6. Raimundo Martínez
7. Clemente Saavedra (captain)
8. Alfonso Escobar
9. Benjamín Videla
10. Juan Cruz Reyes
11. Iñaki Ayarza
12. 12 Santiago Videla
13. Matías Garafulic
14. Nicolás Garafulic
15. 15 Cristóbal Game

Replacements

16. Augusto Böhme
17. Norman Aguayo
18. Matías Dittus
19. Bruno Sáez
20. Ernesto Tchimino
21. Lucas Berti
22. Nicolás Saab
23. Tomás Salas