Pacific Nations Cup Final: Fiji crowned back-to-back Champions after tense Final vs Japan

Japan made the brighter start and surged into a 10-0 lead after just 20 minutes. Hooker Hayate Era crashed over from a driving maul before fly-half Seungsin Lee added the conversion and a penalty. Eddie Jones’ men looked firmly in control, but Fiji responded with a trademark attacking blitz that blew the contest wide open.

Mesake Vocevoce pounced on a restart to score Fiji’s first, before Inia Tabuavou finished a sweeping counter-attack sparked deep in their own 22. Skipper Tevita Ikanivere powered over for their third, and on the stroke of half-time, Joji Nasova produced a sensational solo try from halfway. In just 19 minutes, Fiji had scored 26 unanswered points to take a 26-10 lead into the break.

The Flying Fijians stretched their advantage when Nasova added his second early in the second half. But Japan hit back in determined fashion. Centre Ichigo Nakakusu finished a flowing move before Era claimed his second try from a maul. Lee’s boot kept them in touch, and yellow cards for Viliame Mata and Eroni Mawi saw Fiji briefly reduced to 13 men.

With the gap cut to six points and momentum on their side, Japan pushed hard in the final quarter. But Mick Byrne's side showed immense defensive resolve, scrambling under pressure to deny the Brave Blossoms any further scores.

In the end, Fiji’s clinical finishing and resilience proved decisive. The Flying Fijians held their nerve to seal a 33-27 win, lifting back-to-back titles and reinforcing their reputation as the Pacific’s powerhouse nation.

FIJI: 33
TRIES: 5 (Mesake Vocevoce, Inia Tabuavou, Tevita Ikanivere, Joji Nasova 2)
CONVERSIONS: 4 (Caleb Muntz 4)

JAPAN: 27
TRIES: 3 (Hayate Era 2, Ichigo Nakakusu)
CONVERSIONS: 3 (Seungsin Lee 3)
PENALTIES: 2 (Lee 2)