Defending champion Fiji beats Canada to advance to rugby’s Pacific Nations Cup final against Japan

OSAKA, Japan (AP) — Two-time defending champion Fiji scored three tries in the first 23 minutes and continued its domination to defeat Canada 45-29 in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby semifinal on Saturday.

Kitione Salawa scored in the first 30 seconds and Frank Lomani and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula added later first-half tries, with Armstrong-Ravula also converting two of the tries. Fiji led 26-17 at halftime.

Japan beat the United States 63-14 in the second match of the semifinal doubleheader at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka later Saturday. Japan has won 10 of its last 11 matches against the U.S.

This year’s tournament featured a condensed four-team format. The Japan-Fiji final and U.S.-Canada match for third place will both be played at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo next Saturday.

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