Fiji cruise past USA for place in the final
PACIFIC NATIONS CUP
THE Fijians are the first side to book their place in the Pacific Nations Cup final after they saw off the USA 22-3 in Tokyo.
The first of their three tries came in non-typical fashion as they pressured the USA defensively with a fierce counter-ruck on the Eagles’ line with Elia Canakaivata getting the score in the 25th minute.
Canakaivata grabbed his second in classic Fijian style as he finished off in the 50th minute after multiple offloads had created the space.
Fiji had the win wrapped up eight minutes later when Frank Lomani scored after replacement tighthead Peni Ravai had fallen 10 metres short. Winger Isaiah Karawalevu was in support, giving the ball to the scrum-half who dived over to finish another well worked attack.
It was a tighter match than the scoreline suggests. USA showed glimpses of quality but failed to take their chances, while Fiji finished theirs showing their class when it mattered.
“USA came out today wanting to go to the final too,” said Fiji captain Te-vita Ikanivere, who was sin-binned in the second half. “It wasn’t good me getting the yellow card, not leading by example. But I thank the boys for turning out and finishing the job today.”
Japan face Samoa in the second semi-final this morning, with both desperate to face Fiji in the final next week in Osaka.
Eddie Jones has made seven changes to his Japan side that put 40 points on USA last week, as they go in search of a third successive victory.
In the fifth-place match, Tonga defeated Canada 30-17, meaning a winless tournament for the North Americans.
It was three first-half tries from Sisiua Moala, John Tapueluelu and Josiah Unga that set the Tongans up for victory, with Tapueluelu scoring a late second.
Canada did attempt to fight back in the second half with tries from Andrew Quattrin and Takoda McMullin, but the Tongan physicality especially in defence was just too much.
