Fiji make dream start to PNC title defence with try inside 30 seconds

Fiji couldn’t have started their Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup title defence any better, with backrower Kitione Salawa scoring less than 30 seconds into the semi-final clash with Canada in Osaka.

The Flying Fijians won the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup with a six-point win over the Brave Blossoms in Utah, and also claimed silverware the last time the event was held in Japan two years ago.

Following a 0-3 start to the Nations Championship, the Flying Fijians returned to the Test arena on Saturday afternoon. Tevita Ikanivere led the team onto the field at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, with Fiji and Canada walking out past the PNC trophy.

Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula got the match started with the kick-off, with Canada reeling in possession and taking the ball to ground. Jason Higgins tried to kick the Canadians out of danger but Salawa was quick off the mark.

Salawa managed a charge down and then Canada’s Spencer Jones in a race for the loose ball, before regathering close to the sideline. But the blindside flanker managed to stay inside the field of play, placing the ball down seemingly millimetres away from the paint.

Armstrong-Ravula stepped up to take the conversion attempt from the touchline, and the No. 10 was accurate off the tee. Fiji led 7-0 with barely one minute on the clock, and it didn’t take the defending champions long to extend that lead.

Fiji set up for a scrum inside their own half, before speaking the ball wide to Manasa Mataele on the wing. Mataele made a break down the left edge before being taken to ground, but the Fijians found space again two phases later.

Olympic silver medallist Joji Nasova raced downfield before getting a pass off to scrum-half Frank Lomani, who touched down for the second try of the match. But Canada struck back next, reducing the deficit to seven with a Mason Flesch converted try.

Points Flow Chart

Fiji win +16

Time in lead

80

Mins in lead

0

100%

% Of Game In Lead

0%

42%

Possession Last 10 min

58%

0

Points Last 10 min

0

No points were scored for the next 15 minutes, with the Canadians going on to lead the possession battle by half-time. But then, almost out of nowhere, the Fijians added to their advantage through Armstrong-Ravula.

Mataele beat one defender before passing to the playmaker, who had nothing but open pasture ahead of him. Canada hit back with a successful penalty attempt from Takoda McMullin, making it a nine-point ballgame.

Fiji and Canada traded one try each before the break, with Fiji taking a clinical 26-17 lead into the sheds. The Flying Fijians had dominated the territory side of the game, but also missed more tackles than the Canadians by that stage.