Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 Final Preview – Japan vs Fiji

rugbyasia247 Posted On September 17, 2026

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Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 Final Preview – Japan vs Fiji

The Japan Brave Blossoms host Fiji in the final of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 in Tokyo on Saturday 19th September at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium after the 3rd-place playoff between the USA and Canada.

Photo Credit – JRFU – Dylan Riley – Japan PNC 2026 Semifinal win over USA

For the semifinals, Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko, Honorary Patron of the Japan Rugby Football Union, met the teams before the games, and the Brave Blossoms might want her in attendance again as a lucky charm to win their first PNC title since 2019 – and this seems like a great opportunity. It’s not the same quality Fijian team that has been dominant in recent years, and now with several coaching conundrums.

In the 2025 PNC final, Fiji came out on top 33-27 against Japan at America First Field in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In fact, Japan has only beaten Fiji 4 times in 21 matches, and Fiji have won 7 times on Japanese soil, so it would be a rare feat, but the win would secure them a title and could see the Brave Blossoms rise to 9th in the World Rugby rankings

Photo Credit – World Rugby – Fiji beat Japan in the 2025 PNC Final

The current FIJI Water Flying Fijians interim Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula said of Japan, “We know that Japan is going to be very strong on their home game, especially after they recently had two test matches against Australia and a warm-up match against Canada before the start of the PNC.

They are a well-coached side. We are not only looking at them, but we will also be focused on our strengths heading into Saturday.”

Photo Credit – FRU – FIJI Water Flying Fijians interim Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula

There are four changes to the run-on team that defeated Canada last weekend. No.8, Elia Canakaivata replaces Isoa Tuwai, who is among the reserves bench; experienced Caleb Muntz starts at fly-half, with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula moving to full-back. He is the nephew of All Black Richie Mu’onga. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre starts at inside centre in place of Kalaveti Ravouvou, who is injured.

Japan-based with Tochigi Honda Heat, Captain Tevita Ikanivere again leads the team as they look to secure a three-peat in this tournament.

Vilikesa Nairau and Issacc Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens could both make their debut from the bench, which also includes Penai Cakobau, Isoa Tuwai, Samuela Tawake, Kavaia Tagivetaua, Sam Wye and Isikeli Rabitu.

Head Coach Eddie Jones’ side recorded their biggest win ever against the USA last weekend but were still nowhere near a finished product th0ugh it was a dominant win in which they scored 9 tries. They opened with four tries in the opening quarter to stun the USA Eagles.

Jones said after the win last week, “At times we lost a bit of concentration, made some silly errors that then compounded. After the USA’s first try, we gave away three penalties in a row, giving away possession. It’s all about building consistency. Good players and good teams have that consistency, and that’s what we’re striving for.”

There are very few changes to the matchday squad. Faulua Makisi switches with Michael Stolberg to start in the pack, and among the backs, Tomoki Osada starts on left wing instead of Kazuma Ueda.

Japan captain scrum-half Naoto Saito and fly-half Ryunosuke Ito will be starting as a pair for the eighth consecutive Test match.

Jones said the team has been selected to win the PNC final, adding, “We want to compete against Fiji with physicality and a fast-paced game.”

Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 Final Preview – Japan vs Fiji

The two teams will meet again on 24 October at the same venue as part of a double-header with the Japan women, who face Wales in the WXV Global Series.

Match Permutations

Japan will rise three places to ninth if they beat Fiji to be crowned Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 champions. It would be the first time since March 2023 they reach 9th
Fiji will fall one place to 10th, unless they lose by more than 15 points. In that case, the sides swap places, with Fiji dropping to 12th. The Flying Fijians were last ranked outside the top 10 in July 2024.