We pick out six talking points from the first weekend of the cross-border competition as Fiji and Japan both kick off the tournament with big wins.
Fiji and Japan Triumph in Pacific Nations Cup 2024 Openers
Five-time champions Fiji began their Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 campaign with an impressive 42-16 victory over Samoa on Friday, while Japan defeated hosts Canada 55-28 in the second match on Sunday.
Fiji’s Comeback Victory
Fiji had to rally from a 16-15 deficit at halftime to secure their win against Samoa. The match was a tale of two halves, with Fiji dominating the second half to clinch the victory. Samoa initially held the upper hand, but Fiji’s clinical finishing made the difference. Despite Samoa enjoying more territory and possession, Fiji capitalized on nearly every opportunity, scoring six tries from 13 visits to the opposition’s 22, compared to Samoa’s one try from seven visits.
A crucial moment came when Samoa’s Pisi Leilua was sin-binned in the 53rd minute. Fiji seized the opportunity, scoring 14 points during his absence, which ultimately put the game out of Samoa’s reach.
Japan’s Fast-Paced Start
Japan, under the guidance of Eddie Jones in his second stint as head coach, started strong in their match against Canada, leading 38-7 at halftime. The Brave Blossoms played a high-tempo game, reflecting Jones’ philosophy of ‘Chosoku Rugby’ (super-fast rugby). Japan’s quick ball movement and relentless attack overwhelmed Canada in the first half, with Japan scoring at an impressive rate of more than a point per minute.
While Canada mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, reducing the deficit, Japan’s early dominance ensured the result was never in doubt.
Standout Performances
Japan’s Warner Dearns, a towering second-row forward, delivered a standout performance. The 22-year-old New Zealand-born player, who has been in Japan since the age of 14, made his presence felt with key lineout steals, powerful tackles, and two tries. His performance has drawn comparisons to veteran Michael Leitch, with many expecting Dearns to have a similarly long and successful international career.
For Canada, twin brothers Talon and Takoda McMullin provided some bright spots in an otherwise tough match. Both scored their first international tries, with Talon cutting through Japan’s defense in the second half and Takoda finishing off a clever chip into the in-goal area.
Looking Ahead
The next round of the Pacific Nations Cup kicks off on Friday, August 30, with Samoa facing Tonga in Apia. The USA will make their tournament debut on Saturday, August 31, against Canada in Los Angeles. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether Fiji and Japan can maintain their winning momentum.
