Fiji through to another PNC decider after powering past Canada in Osaka

Fiji are one win away from another Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup title after beating Canada 45-29 in an electric semi-final. It was the first part of a double-header at Osaka’s Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Saturday, with PNC hosts Japan taking on the USA in the other match.

The Flying Fijians took out the PNC crown the last time the event was held in Japan two years ago, before successfully going back-to-back. Joji Nasova starred as Fiji claimed more silverware with a six-point win over Japan on September 21, 2025.

Tevita Ikanivere captained Fiji to those titles, and again led the side out on Saturday as they looked to take another step towards more PNC history. Fiji and Canada walked out past the trophy, before lining up for the national anthems.

Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula got the match underway with the kick-off, with Canada fielding the ball and taking it to ground. But in the blink of an eye, Fiji’s Kitione Salawa didn’t just turn defence into attack; the backrower ended up scoring the first try.

Canada scrum-half Jason Higgins had tried to kick the team out of danger, but Salawa was quick off the mark and managed a charge down. Salawa then beat Spencer Jones to the ball, while also staying inside the field of play – just.

There seemed to be a matter of millimetres between the ball and the sideline, but Salawa did what needed to be done, as Fiji got off to a dream start in the semi-final. Armstrong-Ravula added the extras from out-wide, with the reigning champions leading 7-0 very early on.

It was all Fiji early on, as they added to their lead less than five minutes into the contest. Winger Mansa Mataele made a break down the left edge, before the Flying Fijians recycled the ball and found more space a couple of phases later.

Olympic silver medallist Joji Nasova was put into space before delivering a pass to scrum-half Frank Lomani, who ran in the second try of the contest. Armstrong-Ravula went two-from-two off the goal-kicking tee – more reward for a dominant passage of play.

But Canada refused to throw in the towel. Fullback Takoda McMullin charged into the 22 but was stopped about five metres shy of the line, but the Canadians remained composed and continued to apply pressure with their phase play.

Backrower Masson Flesh powered over for the five-pointer, with McMullin converting that try from in front. Canada searched for more points, with Kyle Tremblay slicing through the defensive line with a moment of individual brilliance, but Fiji stood tall.

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, until Armstrong-Ravula linked up with Mataele for a try of the tournament contender. Mataele made one defender miss with some powerful running and fast feet, before getting a basketball pass off to the fly-half in space.

Canada reduced the deficit slightly in the 26^th minute with a McMullin penalty that dinked in off the left post. The teams traded one try each, to Peni Ravai and Sion Parry respectively, before making their way off the field for halftime.

Fiji led 26-17 at the break, but their strong start to the second term put them on track to another PNC Final appearance. Ikanivere and Motikiai Murray crossed for a try each five minutes apart, leading by 21 points with still the full bench to call upon.

The match had just passed the 60-minute mark when Fiji’s Motikiai Murray peeled off a maul to score his second try in quick succession. Murray made one defender miss before reaching out for the line, which was Fiji’s seventh try of the match.

But Canada’s resilience had been a recurring theme of the match, and once again, the side sitting in 24th spot on the World Rugby rankings continued to fight. Tremblay scored in the corner, and then Flesh finished a spectacular individual effort.

Fiji played the final three minutes down two players after Isoa Nasilasila and debutant Terio Tamani were shown cards for separate infringements. Following the off-field review by the TMo, Nasilasila’s yellow card was upgraded to a red.

By the end of the match, even though Fiji had won with a fairly clinical performance, Canada captain Lucas Rumball led the way with a game-high number of carries and tackles.