Japan book place in home PNC Final with impressive win over the USA

Japan are through to the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 Final after defeating the USA 63-14 at Osaka’s Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Saturday. The Brave Blossoms will play for the title in front of a home crowd in Tokyo, where they will face defending champions Fiji.

There were some similarities in how the semi-finals played out, with both Fiji and Japan racing out to early leads before their North American opponents fought back. Fiji led 45-17 with less than 20 minutes left, but the Canadians hit back with two late tries.

Fiji are chasing another PNC title, with captain Tevita Ikanivere helping the side claim silverware two years ago in Japan and again at the 2025 edition in the United States. But the Flying Fijians will face a confident Japan side, who gave the Osaka crowd plenty to cheer about on Saturday.

USA backrower Marno Redelinghuys fielded the kick-off on a humid evening, but the physicality of every hit-up was met by an equally as intense shot in defence – with the sound of each contact heard throughout the stadium.

Mitch Wilson then set up for an attempted clearance, but the Eagles fullback had carried the ball back inside the 22 before sending it into touch on the full. The Brave Blossoms set up for a lineout and turned that attacking opportunity into points.

Yuya Hirose crashed over for the opening points inside the first minute, which kicked off a 28-0 run for the home side. Inoke Burua won a turnover soon after, which helped set up second-rower Mike Stolbery in the second minute.

Sam Greene kickstarted a counter-attack before the 10-minute mark, with Kanji Shimokawa among the players who helped spread the ball wide. Outside centre Dylan Riley got the ball in space, racing away and extending the Brave Blossoms’ lead to 21-0.

Japan weren’t done there either, with Mamoru Harada crashing over from a rolling maul inside the first quarter. But after a brief break in play, the USA fought their way back into the contest with some confident play in attack.

The USA unleashed waves of attacking pressure 24 minutes into the match, which was their best chance at points so far. Japan were penalised inside their own 22 – Ruben de Haas and the Eagles looked to make the most of the momentum they had earned.

De Haas helped drive the team around the park with some quick passing, while the forward pack stepped up with determined carries. Shilo Klein ended up scoring an important try for the Eagles, who jogged back to halfway, appearing eager to go again.

For the USA supporters in the crowd there was more to cheer about 10 minutes later, with outside centre Tavite Lopeti showcasing incredible strength to score. It seemed for a moment that Lopeti had been stopped around the 22-metre line, but the midfielder was far from done.

Lopeti wrestled through a couple of tackle attempts, while running about 20 metres to the house for a crucial five-pointer. Chris Hilsenbeck added the extras off the kicking tee, with the Eagles reducing their once 28-point deficit in half.

But Japan had the final point-scoring break going into the break, with Soujirou Ootsuka the final try-scorer before the break. Greene knocked over the conversion, as the Brave Blossoms took a clinical 35-14 advantage into the sheds.

It was a dream start to the second half for the Brave Blossoms, with captain Naoto Saito making a long break downfield before setting up Riley for his second. Greene remained perfect off the tee as the hosts retained their 28-point lead.

The USA went down to 14 men eight minutes later, with captain Jason Damm shown a yellow card for a high shot. Japan had a try disallowed early in those 10 minutes, but the home side still added to their lead before Damm returned.

Jack Cornselsen and Esei Haangana both scored, crossing the 50-point barrier with more than 20 minutes left in the semi-final. Eddie Jones was seen on the big screen smiling after Greene dived over for another Brave Blossoms try.

Cornselsen was shown a yellow card for a high shot on Wilson with less than five minutes left, but the Brave Blossoms defence stepped up, with no more points scored before full-time. Japan are through to the PNC decider, which will be played in Tokyo next weekend.