Japan Brave Blossoms Win Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026

The Brave Blossoms won their first Pacific Nations Cup title since 2019, defeating holders Fiji at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium 20-15 in a fiercely physical Test match. It is only Japan’s 5th win over Fiji in 22 matches, and the result sees them enter the World Rugby top ten rankings.

Photo Credit – World Rugby & JRFU

The match was also the 11th anniversary of their historic victory over South Africa at Rugby World Cup 2015, and they are now ranked 9th, in addition to being Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 champions.

Captain Naoto Saito (who was player of the tournament) said, “All I was thinking about was winning this game. I’m glad we won today, and it’s a great breakthrough to create history for Japan. It gives this young team great confidence. We’d been in the final in the last two years against the same opponent but hadn’t been able to win. This is going to be the trigger for us to break through and create new history for Japan.”

Photo Credit – JRFU

The Fijians came out the blocks strongly and looked to overpower the Japanese in their backyard as they were hoping to make it a three-peat of PNC titles. If they won, it would have been a record-extending eighth title.

Former French international Virimi Vakatawa and Japan-based Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere scored tries in the first half, but the Brave Blossoms showed real grit.

It was physical as expected, and Fiji’s speed and power were tough to stop, but Japan fronted up well defensively – but when they had the ball, they made far too many errors. They slotted a Sam Greene penalty, and hooker Mamoru Harada scored a try as they trailed 10-12 at halftime.

In the 2nd half, in what was an arm wrestle and helter-skelter at times, Japan’s talisman and probably their best player over the past 15 months, Ben Gunter, powered over to take them into a 15-12 lead before a penalty from Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula made it 15-all.

It was Japan’s replacement Samisoni Tua who claimed a match-winning try for Japan in the 72nd minute with an excellent step and carry to score.

Photo Credit – JRFU – Ben Gunter – Japan – PNC 2026 Final POTM

There were massive shifts from several players, but Ben Gunter was POTM. “It’s a great feeling because we’ve been chasing this for the last three years. In our DNA, we have a great attack, so if I can just help out in defence, then that’s all my focus was

Head Coach Eddie Jones added, “It’s another level up for the team and to win at home with a great crowd here. We needed to look after the ball better, and it was a stop-start game. Our set piece was strong. Our ball retention needs to be better, but I was really impressed with our defensive effort – but we want to keep improving.”

One concern will be the injury toll, as both Sam Greene and centre Yuya Hiorose left the game with injuries.

• Tries: Mamoru Harada, Ben Gunter, Samisoni Tua
• Conversions: Sam Greene
• Penalties: Sam Greene

Canada claimed third place in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026, defeating their neighbours USA 19-16.

Japan will face Fiji again at the same venue on 24 October at the same venue as part of a double-header with the Japan Sakura XV.

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