Brave Blossoms Open PNC 2025 With Record Win Over Canada And Squad Assembled in the US

Japan Brave Blossoms kicked off their PNC (Pacific Nations Cup) 2025 campaign, defeating Canada 57–15 in Sendai, which was a record win over the opposition. They announced their touring squad of North America as they first take on the USA to try and secure a place in the PNC semifinal.

The Japanese Men’s XV team face the USA in Pool B on Saturday, September 6th, in Sacramento at Heart Health Park. A win would secure them a place in the final four. The USA lost their opening match against Canada and is still trying to qualify for RWC 2027, something the Japanese have already secured.

In the Canadian victory, the Japanese only really put the game away in the second half after a tight opening forty minutes, which saw them lead 17-10 at the break.

Kippei Ishida sealed the win with Japan’s eighth try after the final hooter, and it was his second in the game as he put on some impressive stats in the win. As did first-time captain Warner Dearns, who was a constant menace with the ball in hand, and he picked up a try too.

The JRFU said of the Brave Blossoms’ victory over Canada, “Japan looked to have finally found their mojo, and the floodgates opened. Their slick set plays started to click, with passes hitting their mark and the Brave Blossoms fleet-footed backs starting to cut through the tiring Canadian defence.”

Japan scored 33 unanswered points in the second half before Canada’s reserve hooker Jesse Mackail crossed over for a try with a minute left on the clock, and Kippei Ishida crossed for his second try.

Photo Credit – JRFU

Brave Blossoms Head Coach Eddie Jones said after the win, “We were really poor in the first half. But sometimes, when it’s the first game of a tournament, you haven’t played a game for a number of weeks and come out of a hard training block, that can happen. But I was really pleased with the players in the second half and thought they played well.”

Brave Blossoms Captain Warner Dearns added, “It was a tough game. Canada really showed up in the first half and we were under a lot of pressure. But I’ve got to thank the boys for coming out in the second half and putting in a good fight. I’m really happy to be able to win my first game as Captain, but it was a real team effort. The crowd really helped us, they got behind us, and when we came out in that second half, it was really good.”

• Pool A – Fiji to the pool, and face Samoa in NZ this weekend. Tonga will need to await the result with one win in hand, but if Samoa loses, Tonga will qualify for RWC 2027.
• Pool B – All teams are still in the running for semi-final spots. Canada and Japan both have five points, while the USA can stir things up with a bonus point win. If the USA loses, Canada will qualify for RWC 2027.

Brave Blossoms Squad – PNC 2025 USA Tour

A 30-member roster for the Japan national team’s USA tour and the final round of regular tournament matches for the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2025 was confirmed by the JRFU.

The Brave Blossoms travelled to California at the end of August and will remain in the USA for the finals series, which begins on Sunday, September 14. Based on the results, all teams will travel to Denver, Colorado, for the semi-finals, with the finals weekend in Salt Lake City.

• The first weekend comprises the Fifth Place Playoff, and the Semi-Finals will take place in Denver, Colorado.
• The remaining four teams will then battle it out on Saturday, September 20, in the Third Place Playoff and Final in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Pacific Nations Cup 2025 News

• Japan Brave Blossoms vs Canada Preview – Pacific Nations Cup 2025.
• Pacific Nations Cup 2025 Details Announced.