Third time’s a charm: Japan beats Fiji 20-15 in the Pacific Nations Cup rugby final

TOKYO (AP) — Japan clinched rugby’s Pacific Nations Cup for the first time since 2019 with a 20-15 win over Fiji in Saturday’s championship match.

Replacement back Samisoni Tua broke a 15-15 tie with his try in the 72nd minute at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.

The two sides were meeting in the tournament final for the third consecutive year, with Fiji having won the title on the two previous occasions. In last week’s semifinals, Fiji beat Canada and Japan defeated the United States.

“We’ve been beaten in the final the last two years and to win at home, with a great crowd here, is good for the team’s development,” Japan coach Eddie Jones was quoted as saying by Kyodo News after the final.

“What I was really pleased about was our defensive effort today. We’re not known as a defensive team, and we really barred up today.”

Canada defeated the United States 19-16 in the third-place playoff played earlier at the stadium.

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