Pacific Nations Cup

The Brave Blossoms, will host the Rugby World Cup in just under six weeks time, and the team seems to have had the best possible preparations so far.

Japan started their virtual PNC final against the Eagles with tremendous precision, scoring within three minutes through their inspirational captain Michael Leitch, on their way to 17 unanswered points.

However it was then that USA sevens star Madison Hughes scored to give the Americans some hope.

Both sides had lost their previous two PNC matches, but it was the Tongans who held on for victory at Lautoka's Churchil Park.

Tonga were blown off the park last week 41-7 by a speedy and physical Japan team, and in the opening stages of Friday's match it seemed they had taken a leaf out of the Brave Blossom's book, racing away to a 19-8 half-time lead through tries to outside backs David Halaifonua and Viliami Lolohea and new centre Malietoa Hingano.

Goneva missed the first four matches and has impressed Coach John McKee with fellow Nadi man Setareki Tuicuvu during training.

The duo will be in the starting fifteens game.

“We all know what a great player he is and a leader on and off the field,’ McKee said in his remarks about Goneva.

“Tuicuvu is a young player on the way up and has had some real match time.”

McKee adds that the Nadi duo are in top form and will be players to watch.

Ben Volavola also returns to start at fly-half after missing the match against Canada.

The Steve Jackson coached side lost to USA 13-10 last week.

Filo Paulo remains in the second‑row while TJ Ioane moves from openside to number eight.

In the backs, outside centre Kieron Fonotia and full‑back Ahsee Tuala survive the cut.

Logovi'i Munipola, Motu Matu'u and Paul Alo Emile form an all‑new front‑row partnership and Kane Leaupepe joins Paulo in the second row.

Jack Lam captains Samoa for the fourth time at openside and Chris Vui packs down on the other flank.

Head Coach Steve Jackson said they know that it will be a physical and rugged rugby experience.

 “Any Fiji and Samoa test is foremost going to be physical battle and big collisions, he said.

“I have told the boys to stick to a system and structure and those who will be on the ground will expect physical contacts.”

Jackson adds Fiji has beaten some very good teams and it would be a very exciting match to watch.

“This is an opportunity to get our confidence back after last weekend will be looking to step up our game and run the game as we expect.”

Coach John McKee says he will mix his line-up with some senior and experienced players.

“This week you’ll see probably see some players who have never played up until now to now to combine with some who have been playing in the past weeks.” 

The Fiji Times reports that the players are bracing for a fast and physical Pacific rugby rivalry encounter on Saturday in the World Rugby sanctioned tournament.

Fiji has fallen short of retaining the title after their loss to Japan in the first round and a win against Canada in the second round.

All teams now have one remaining game and even if Fiji defeats Samoa, they will still not be in contention for the title.

If Japan beat the USA they are set to win the title, for the first time since 2014.

Fiji will play Samoa in their next Pacific Nations Cup match at ANZ Stadium in Suva this Saturday.

It was a much better playing surface this time than the mud-bath Tonga endured in their loss to Samoa at Apia Park but Japan, sporting at least five Tongans of their own, showed their world cup preparations were well on track outclassing the Ikale Tahi in both attack and defence.

Despite the scoreline however Toutai Kefu said there were some positives he thought the team could build on.

The Brave Blossoms put aside the absence of their head coach, an early yellow card to Kotaro Matsushima and some worrying penalties to ensure Tonga was never in the Pacific Nations Cup game at Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Saturday, finishing as 41-7 winners in stifling heat and humidity.

With the forwards showing the benefits of the Miyazaki “Camp of Hell,” and the backs making good use of the balls that came their way, the Brave Blossoms put in a performance that will have worried their World Cup Pool A opponents, particularly with the speed at which they played the game.

The Brave Blossoms opened their PNC campaign with an impressive 34-21 victory over Fiji last weekend and 'Ikale Tahi coach Toutai Kefu said the World Cup hosts could not be allowed to dictate today's game.

"Japan are a very formidable side. If they get their own way they're very hard to beat. What I was surprised at was how Fiji defended. I thought they were quite poor there. I've seen much better defence from them. They just pretty much let Japan have it their own way and play their own style," Kefu said.