Flying Fijians win seventh PNC title after beating Japan 33-27

The FIJI Water Flying Fijians have won their seventh Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup title after beating Japan 33-27 this afternoon.

Player of the Match, Joji Nasova who contributed two tries to Fiji’s five says this is a dream come true.

Fiji’s tries were scored by Nasova, Mesake Vocevoce, Inia Tabuavou, skipper Tevita Ikanivere, with four conversions from flyhalf Caleb Muntz.

The Japanese side silenced the Fiji fans as they struck first through hooker Hayate Era in the fifth minute.

Fiji was finally able to get back in the game in the 21st minute when Vocevoce crossed over after a flick pass from Kuruvoli.

The Flying Fijians scored three quick tries before half time through Tabuavou, Ikanivere, and Nasova.

Fiji lead 26-10 at half time.

In the second half, Fiji seem to have taken their foot of the gas as their discipline dropped, with Viliame Mata and Eroni Mawi being shown yellow cards.

At one point, Fiji only had 13 players on the field with Japan taking advantage and piling on the points as they scrambled to try and get back in front.

Fiji, luckily enough were able to absorb the Japanese attack in the last 5 minutes to win the game.

Skipper Ikanivere says he is proud of the boys that held the fort when they were down two players at one point, looking out for each other.

Ikanivere says they also talked about coming out to hunt leading up to this game.

He also thanked the fans and family that came out in numbers to support all the 6 teams that played today.

Match Report

Fiji vs Japan Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup Final

Fiji will kick off from left to right.

1" Rakuro driven into touch.

2" Kuruvoli with a boxkick from the 10 metre

3" Penalty to Japan for Kalaveti Ravouvou high tackle

5" Japan run one in down the blindside, Hayate gets his name on the board JAP 7-0 FIJ

6" Penalty to Fiji, Japan not rolling away

7" Fiji on the attack inside the 22 metre line but then knock the ball on

9" Scrum penalty to Japan

10" Fiji get a penalty as Japan didn't release the ball, Muntz kicking for to the corner

13" Fiji setpiece misfires as the ball misses Nasova on the wing and goes into touch

15" Scrum penalty to Japan as Doge didn't support his body weight

18" 

TRY!!

Hayate Era gets his second try

TMO being consulted as it looks short, NO TRY!!

20" Mesake Vocevoce gets Fiji back into the game JAP 10-7 FIJ

26" Pressure relieved as Fiji get a scrum penalty TRY!!

30" Fiji go coast to coast as Eroni Mawi runs it out from their 22 metre before passing to Kuruvoli who links up with Vocevoce and finally Tabuavou going over

33" Taniela Rakuro runs the ball back up before chipping it ahead, gets beaten into touch  JAP 10-12 FIJ TRY!!

36" Skipper Tevita Ikanivere scores after a pop up ball from Tabuavou Muntz converts JAP 10-19 FIJ

38" Held up, goal line drop out for Japan 

TRY!! 

39" Nasova runs it up the middle fending off two players to dot down under the sticks

Muntz converts

JAP 10-26 FIJ

Half time

TRY!! "42 Nasova gets his second try

Muntz converts FIJ 33-10 JAP

TRY!!

46" Ichigo Nakakusu receives a pass from his fullback to bring Japan back into the game

FIJ 33-17 JAP

52" YELLOW CARD to Viliame Mata

56" Haereti Hete leaving the field getting a HIA check, Mawi back in TRY!! Hayate Era gets his second FIJ 33-24 JAP YELLOW CARD to Mawi

62" Fiji currently playing with 13 players

FIJ 33-27 JAP 68" Fiji wins the penalty

70" It's all going down to the wire as pressure mounts in the last 10 minutes of the game and only 6 points between them. 

73" Wye with a boxkick into Japan's 22 metre but Loganimasi loses it forward in the air 78" Fiji get the penalty!!

Muntz to kick to touch

79" It all comes down to this moment, Fiji just has to run the clock down Fiji wins the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup title Fiji 33-27 Japan

Full time