Fiji hold on to beat Japan

Fiji held off a late surge from Japan to escape with a 27-22 victory in Pacific Nations Cup action on Wednesday evening in Toronto. Reduced to 13 men after two yellow cards in the dying minutes, the Fijian defense withstood a multi-phase attack from Japan, who failed to take advantage of clear superiority at the set piece.

Indiscipline gave Japan early opportunities and Ayumu Goromaru was on song with the boot, knocking over three penalties for a nine point lead. Josh Matavesi replied with a penalty of his own, and then a missed tackle by Shota Horie allowed Tevita Cavubati to cut through the line, and the big lock galloped 30 metres to score the first try.

With Japan still stunned, quick hands found Napolioni Nalaga in space, and the powerful winger broke two tackles before offloading back inside to Matavesi, who finished it off and converted his own try. The game had barely restarted when a stray high ball was tapped into Metuisela Talebula’s hands, and the speedster raced away for a third Fijian try in less than 10 minutes.

Somehow the Brave Blossoms escaped to halftime, where they found their composure and changed their approach. Using their strength at the scrum and maul, they put Fiji on the back foot and repeat infringements Manasa Saulo was sent to the sin bin. After a couple minutes of sustained attacks on the line, eventually space was created for Akihito Yamada to sneak over in the corner.

Goromaru and Matavesi exchanged penalties before another assault yielded another score, this time to Hendrik Tui. The no8 looked to have been held up by the defense, but a second wave of support drove him over to bring Japan within one score.

Again Japan attacked, and more penalties against Fiji earned yellow cards for Leone Nakarawa and Campese Ma’afu in quick succession, but still the score never came. At last Fiji won a turnover at the breakdown, and the game ended with Japan on the short end.

The final round of the PNC takes place on Monday, August 3, at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia. Fiji will rematch Samoa in the final, while Japan face Tonga with third place up for grabs.

FIJI 27
Tries – T. Cavubati (20), J. Matavesi (25), M. Talebula (28)
Cons – J. Matavesi 3 (21, 26, 29)
Pens – J. Matavesi 2 (18, 61)
Yellow cards – M. Saulo (45), L. Nakarawa (76), C. Ma’afu (80)

JAPAN 22
Tries – A. Yamada (47), H. Tui (68)
Pens – A. Goromaru 4 (5, 13, 17, 52)

FIJI
1 C. Ma’afu 2 T. Tuapati (S. Koto 61) 3 M. Saulo (I. Colati 55) 4 T. Cavubati 5 L. Nakarawa 6 D. Waqaniburotu (P. Yato 70) 7 M. Ravulo (I. Colati 45-55) 8 A. Qera (capt.) 9 H. Seniloli (N. Matawalu 61) 10 J. Matavesi 11 N. Nalaga (P. Ravai 80) 12 L. Botia 13 V. Goneva 14 M. Talebula 15 K. Murimurivalu

JAPAN
1 K. Inagaki 2 S. Horie 3 H. Yamashita (K. Hatakeyama 39) 4 L. Thompson 5 S. Ito (H. Ono 55) 6 M. Broadhurst (J. Ives 70) 7 M. Leitch (capt.) 8 H. Tui 9 F. Tanaka 10 H. Tatekawa 11 K. Fukuoka (Y. Fujita 65) 12 Y. Tamura (K. Ono 27-56, 59) 13 K. Matsushima 14 A. Yamada 15 A. Goromaru