Flying Fijians defeat Japan 41-17 to defend Pacific Nations Cup title

The Fiji Water Flying Fijians have defended the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup title after a commanding 41-17 win over Japan in the final tonight.

It was a highly intense game in the first 40 minutes but Fiji managed to pull away in the second half to claim the win.

Japan scored the first points of the match with a converted penalty by fullback Seungsin Lee in the 6th minute before Fiji’s Caleb Muntz levelled the score at 3-all in the 9th minute.

The home side continued to pressure Fiji and scored a converted try through centre Dylan Riley in the 19th minute from inside their own half to give them a 10-3 lead.

In the 33rd minute, Fiji’s Vuate Karawalevu scored a brilliant try with Muntz adding the conversion to lock the score at 10-all which was the score at the break.

Muntz put Fiji in the lead for the first time in the game with a penalty kick at goal in the 56th minute before debutant and Olympic silver medallist Ponipate Loganimasi scored a converted try to extend their lead to 20-10.

Fiji scored three more converted tries through Albert Tuisue, Karawalevu and Loganimasi while Japan scored a converted try in the last 14 minutes of the match for the final result.

Live updates

0’ Fiji kicks off the first half. FIJ 0-0 JAP

2’ Penalty awarded to Japan inside their own half. They opt to kick for touch. FIJ 0-0 JPN

3’ Japan loses the ball 5 mteres from Fiji’s try line. Fiji with the scrum. FIJ 0-0 JPN

5’ Japan awarded a penalty inside Fiji’s 22 metre line and they opt for a kick at goal. FIJ 0-0 JPN

6’ Japan’s fullback Seungsin Lee converts the first penlty to give Japan the lead. FIJ 0-3 JPN

8’ Fiji awarded a penalty inside Japan’s 10 metre line and opts for a kick at goal. FIJ 0-3 JPN 

9’ Caleb Muntz levels the score with a successful kick. FIJ 3-3 JPN

13’ Fiji wins a penalty and opts for a kick for touch. FIJ 3-3 JPN

18’ Fiji awarded a scrum inside Japan’s territory. FIJ 3-3 JPN

18’ Decision reversed and Japan has been awarded the scrum after the first knock on by Fiji. FIJ 3-3 JPN

19’ Japan scores a beautifully well worked try straight from off the scrum by centre Dylan Riley. Lee converts it to give Japan the lead. FIJ 3-10 JPN.

23’ Japan pressures Fiji with their fast pace attack but unfortunately loses the ball inside Fiji’s territory. Scrum to Fiji. FIJ 3-10 JPN

28’ Flying Fijians flanker Kitione Salawa has been substituted by Albert Tuisue. FIJ 3-10 JPN

30’ TRY!! Fiji’s Inia Tabuavou scores a try with Muntz to convert the try. FIJ 8-10 JPN

31’ TMO reviewed the try and was reversed. Fiji remains trailing at 10-3

32’ Salawa comes back on as Tuisue leaves the field

33’ TRY!! Fiji makes no mistake now as Vuate Karawalevu scores a converted try to level the score. FIJ 10-10 JPN

34’ Iosefo Masi comes off as Apisalome Vota comes on. FIJ 10-10 JPN

37' Japan reduced to 14-men after hooker was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle. FIJ 10-10 JPN

HALFTIME: FIJI 10-10 JAPAN

40' Japan kikcs off the second half. FIJ 10-10 JPN

42' Fiji gets the first scrum of the second half. FIJ 10-10 JPN

43' Fiji wins a penalty off the scrum. They opt for a kick for touch. FIJ 10-10 JPN

45' TMO reviews Caleb Muntz's grounding on the tryline. FIJ 10-10 JPN

45' Muntz denied a try as Elia Canakaivata obstructed a Japan player leading up to the try. Score remains. FIJ 10-10 JPN

50' Fiji awarded a penalty inside their territory and kicks for touch. FIJ 10-10 JPN

53' Ilaisa Droasese knocks the ball on inside Japan's 22 metre line, scrum awarded to Japan. FIJ 10-10 JPN

56' Muntz successfully converts the penalty to give Fiji the lead. FIJI 13-10 JPN

59' Ponipate Loganimasi extends Fiji's lead with a try with the conversion to come. FIJI 18-10 JPN

60' Muntz converts the try successfully to extend Fiji's lead to 20-10.

66' TMO reviews Albert Tuisue's grounding on Japan's tryline. FIJI 20-10 JPN

66' Referee awards the try to Fiji. Conversion to come. FIJI 25-10 JPN

67' Muntz successffully converts the try to extend Fiji's lead. FIJI 27-10 JPN

70' Vuate Karawalevu scores another beautifully well-worked try in the corner to extend Fiji's lead. Conversion by Muntz is successful. FIJI 34-10 JPN

74' Loganimasi scores his second try on debut with the conversion to come. FIJI 39-10 JPN

75' Isaiah Armstrong Ravula converts the try to extend Fiji's lead to 41-10.

Fulltime: FIJI 41-17 JAPAN