PNC 2024: Canada vs Japan – ARN Guide

Canada makes its first Pacific Nations Cup appearance since 2019 when Japan arrives in Vancouver on Sunday. The two sides were once regular competitors but haven’t met in a test match since 2016, and it’s been nearly two decades since the Maple Leafs have defeated the Brave Blossoms.

FORM GUIDE

Current World Ranking: 21 (61.87 points)
2024-07-12 – Canada 35, Romania 22 (Ottawa)
2024-07-06 – Canada 12, Scotland 73 (Ottawa)
2023-11-18 – Brazil 15, Canada 40 (La Vila)
2023-11-11 – Spain 42, Canada 20 (La Vila)
2023-08-15 – Tonga 36, Canada 12 (Nuku’alofa)

Current World Ranking: 14 (71.63 points)
2024-07-21 – Japan 14, Italy 42 (Sapporo)
2024-07-13 – Japan 23, Georgia 25 (Sendai)
2024-07-06 – Japan 26, NZ Māori 14 (Toyota)
2024-06-29 – Japan 10, NZ Māori 36 (Tokyo)
2024-06-22 – Japan 17, England 52 (Tokyo)

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

1 Cali Martinez replaces Liam Murray
4 Izzak Kelly replaces Conor Keys
5 Kaden Duguid replaces Kyle Baillie

1 Shogo Miura replaces Takayoshi Mohara
2 Atsushi Sakate replaces Mamoru Harada
3 Keijiro Tamefuna replaces Shuhei Takeuchi
4 Sanaila Waqa replaces Eishin Kuwano
6 Tiennan Costley replaces Amanaki Saumaki
7 Kanji Shimokawa replaces Michael Leitch
9 Shinobu Fujiwara replaces Taiki Koyama
10 Seung-Sin Lee replaces Rikiya Matsuda
11 Malo Tuitama replaces Tomoki Osada
12 Nik McCurran replaces Samisoni Tua

NOTES

• Kingsley Jones has made just three changes to the starting lineup that defeated Romania in Ottawa last month… all come in the tight five, with Liam Murray ruled out and second row Conor Keys and Kyle Baillie both unavailable for the PNC
• it’s a first test start for loosehead prop Cali Martinez, while Izzak Kelly makes his first appearance of 2024 after missing out in July… Kaden Duguid makes his test debut… he is one year older than uncapped brother Tyler, who plays for French Top 14 side Montpellier… Kaden has also played professionally in France, and sister Abby plays for Loughborough Lightning in England
• Kelly and Duguid form Canada’s largest starting lock pairing in several years with Kelly standing 6’6″ (1.99m) and Duguid a lofty 6’8″ (2.03m), and an average weight around 120kg (265lbs)… Japan will also field one of their largest second rows with both Sanaila Waqa and Warner Dearns a shade above 2m (6’7″), and combined ballast only slightly less than the Canadian duo
• Eddie Jones has made wholesale changes to his Japan side that were underwhelming against Italy in Sapporo… World Cup hooker Atsushi Sakate will captain an inexperienced lineup
• there are three test debuts, including former Junior All Blacks winger Malo Tuitama, midfielder Nik McCurran, and reserve loose forward Isaiah Mapusua… all three are from New Zealand and qualify on residency… the latter is the nephew of former Samoa coach Seilala Mapusua
• Kingsley Jones was invited by Eddie Jones to help coach the Barbarians for their Killik Cup match against England at Twickenham in 2023… though they share the same last name they are not related

QUOTES

Kingsley Jones (Head Coach)

“The team is excited to be in Vancouver. We know from our tests in July how valuable it is to play on home soil, and we’re looking forward to what we know will be a good challenge for our team.

“We have a young roster of players who have proven themselves with their professional and club teams, the Pacific Pride, and in Ottawa earlier this summer, with our veteran players providing great experience and leadership. Despite some injuries, we’ve been able to maintain continuity and really look to grow as a squad with each match.”

PREDICTION

The two sides were once frequent and close rivals, and during the 1990s Canada seemed to have Japan’s number. Since then, however, the fortunes of the Maple Leafs have slipped dramatically and the Brave Blossoms have moved up the ladder. Both coaches appear to be using the PNC to test new talent ahead of next year’s qualifiers, and both have had mixed results in recent tests. While the win over Romania in Ottawa has lifted the spirits of the Canadians, they remain well below the Brave Blossoms on the world rankings. Japan are favorites on the road.

TEAMS

CANADA
1 Cali Martinez, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Conor Young, 4 Izzak Kelly, 5 Kaden Duguid, 6 Mason Flesch, 7 Ethan Fryer, 8 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 9 Jason Higgins, 10 Peter Nelson, 11 Nic Benn, 12 Talon McMullin, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Cooper Coats

Replacements: 16 Dewald Kotze, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Cole Keith, 19 James Stockwood, 20 Matthew Oworu, 21 Brock Gallagher, 22 Mark Balaski, 23 Takoda McMullin

JAPAN
1 Shogo Miura, 2 Atsushi Sakate (capt.), 3 Keijiro Tamefusa, 4 Sanaila Waqa, 5 Warner Dearns, 6 Tiennan Costley, 7 Kanji Shimokawa, 8 Faulua Makisi, 9 Shinobu Fujiwara, 10 Seung-Sin Lee, 11 Malo Tuitama, 12 Nik McCurran, 13 Dylan Riley, 14 Jone Naikabula, 15 Yoshitaka Yazaki

Replacements: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Takayoshi Mohara, 18 Shuhei Takeuchi, 19 Eishin Kuwano, 20 Isaiah Mapusua, 21 Taiki Koyama, 22 Harumichi Tatekawa, 23 Tomoki Osada

MATCH INFO

Date: Sunday, August 25
Venue: BC Place, Vancouver
Kickoff: 14:00 local (17:00 Eastern, Mon 06:00 Japan)
Weather Forecast: partly cloudy, 66°F (19°C), wind SE 5-7mph (8-11 km/h)
Broadcasts: TSN3 (Canada), JSports (Japan), RugbyPass TV

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistants: Kat Roche (USA) & Luke Rogan (USA)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)

HISTORY

HEAD-TO-HEAD (25): Japan 15, Canada 8, Draw 2
2016-06-11 – Canada 22, Japan 26 (Vancouver)
2015-07-18 – Canada 6, Japan 20 (San Jose)
2014-06-07 – Canada 25, Japan 34 (Vancouver)
2013-06-19 – Japan 16, Canada 13 (Nagoya)
2011-09-27 – Canada 23, Japan 23 (Napier)
2009-11-21 – Japan 27, Canada 6 (Tokyo)
2009-11-25 – Japan 46, Canada 8 (Miyagi)
2007-09-25 – Canada 12, Japan 12 (Bordeaux)
2005-05-29 – Japan 10, Canada 15 (Tokyo)
2004-05-30 – Japan 34, Canada 21 (Tokyo)