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Fiji player ratings vs Japan | Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup
By Ned Lester
Grand final time in Osaka saw the bright lights come on and the stars shine as Japan and Fiji clashed in a heated contest to decide the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup champions.
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After a nail-biting opening hour, the Fijians kicked into a different gear in the game’s final quarter, running away with a 41-17 win courtesy of four late tries.
Here’s how Fiji rated in the win:
1. Eroni Mawi – 8
Mawi was solid in the scrum, holding his side steady to provide a strong platform for his team. The prop’s deflection of a grubber kick resulted in his side’s opening points of the game.
The heat took its toll on the 28-year-old, who pulled up with a cramp and dropped the pill in the carry just shy of half-time. Mawi forced Japan to change their front row after dominating the first scrum contest of the second half.
2. Tevita Ikanivere – 8
The captain kept his ship steady and took the points when they were on offer, providing the kind of balanced leadership Fiji needed.
Japan stole a couple of lineouts early but the Fijians overcame that challenge well in the second half.
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3. Samu Tawake – 8
Tawake’s side of the scrum looked more vulnerable than Mawi’s early but the prop avoided the attention of the whistle and found his feet in the contest as the game progressed.
The prop reached double-digit tackles in the first half alone as Japan made tight carries around the ruck.
4. Isoa Nasilasila – 7
Japan’s pack read the Fijian lineout like a book multiple times in the game, but Nasilasila kept himself busy defensively, making a dozen tackles.
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5. Temo Mayanavanua – 6
Replaced in the 57th minute, Mayanavanua contributed some strong defence but was ultimately quiet in the contest, with his side’s big momentum swing coming after his substitution.
6. Meli Derenalagi – 9
A man of the Match performance from Fiji’s glue-man, Derenalagi was industrious throughout this performance. The tournament’s leading turnover machine got his mitts on the ball early once more in the final.
His work defensively off the side of the scrum was superb, targetting the arm of Japanese runners and forcing mistakes in humid conditions.
Would have generated his side’s first try were it not for a previous knock-on in contact. His 55th-minute turnover won his side their first lead of the game.
7. Kitione Salawa – 8
Salawa was the reason for Japan’s opening points of the contest when he didn’t release after a tackle before going for the turnover. Was his usual restless self in the carry, looking to power or squirm through any gap he could find.
Delivered some hard hits on defence before leaving the field in the 27th minute due to injury and returning a few minutes later.
8. Elia Canakaivata – 8.5
After impressing with his ball-carrying in the previous contests, Canakaivata was well taken care of by the Japanese defence in this contest.
The No. 8 kept his hand up for work in the carry but impressed most with his defensive work, leading his team with 14 completed tackles. Two missed tackles early made way for an otherwise
9. Frank Lomani – 8
Lomani’s deliveries were quick and on point throughout his 71-minute performance. The halfback played safety defensively and produced mixed results, missing a key tackle on Dylan Riley’s superb try.
The halfback didn’t find many opportunities to snipe around the ruck with a tight Japanese defence as his opposition were alert to his threat.
10. Caleb Muntz – 8.5
A deserved player of the tournament and decisive decision-maker, Muntz helped his team in a variety of ways in this match. The kicking performance off the tee was without fault and the game management was strong.
Muntz was there in a flash when Fiji needed a halfback and handled Japan’s strong ball carriers well in a prominent defensive channel. He did however miss the most tackles of the game.
11. Ilaisa Droasese – 4
A loose offload from Droasese ended a promising and tone-setting initial strike play from Fiji, and the winger then followed it up with a poor kick off the side of the boot. Droasese dropped Meli Derenalagi’s pass cold after the flanker’s break when there was a chance at Fiji’s first try of the game.
On the plus side, the outside back managed to beat five defenders in the first half alone.
12. Inia Tabuavou – 7.5
Tabuavou was busy defensively early but some indecision cost his side on attack. His dozen tackles represent his effort while on attack he really found his feet in the final quarter, contributing well to the four-try outburst.
13. Iosefo Masi – 6
Managed some strong moments of defence in dynamic situations before succumbing to an injury 30 minutes in.
14. Vuate Karawalevu – 7
A willing ball-carrier, Karawelavu put his body on the line for his side early, although struggled to win the collisions. Had his hands full with Japan’s Malo Tuitama, the tournament’s most successful carrier when it comes to getting over the gainline.
The winger was ambitious, if not loose with his offload game and was guilty of some dangerous turnovers as well as producing some flare.
Karawelevu provided the necessary pace to score his side’s opening try of the game, winning the race to the try line when Tawake deflected a kick.
15. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula – 8
The youngster injected pace into the attack when stepping in as a playmaker and backed his decision-making in a fast-paced attack.
A kick out on the full contributed to Japan’s momentum at a key moment but Armstrong-Ravula more than made up for it with his well-rounded performance, even taking over the conversions late.
Replacements
16. Mesulame Dolokoto – 8
17. Haereiti Hetet – 8
Was thrown into the contest in the 56th minute and his side’s powerful finish started shortly after. The scrum contributed well to the final quarter blitz.
18. Meli Tuni – 8
19. Masake Vocevoce – 9
The set-piece functioned better with the big man on the field.
20. Albert Tuisue – 8
A bruising impact player, Tuisue won his side a crucial turnover when a Japan break threatened to swing momentum in the final quarter.
21. Peni Matawalu – 8
Facilitated the rapid run home well in his short stint in the game.
22. Apisalome Vota – 8
Vota entered the game early with Masi’s injury and straightened up the attack well with his lines, especially for Loganismasi’s first try which he provided the final pass for.
23. Ponipate Loganismasi – 9
A dream debut for the Sevens speedster, who made two linebreaks and scored two tries in his 24 minutes on the park.
Still do not understand why Fiji is t2 and Japan is t1 team. Even without 6-7 key players from French top14 they smashed Brave Blossoms. Congrats.