Hosts Japan booked their place in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 final against the FIJI Water Flying Fijians after thrashing the USA 63-14 in their semi-final in Osaka.
Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms outscored the USA by nine tries to two and, having led 35-14 at the interval, they kept their opponents scoreless during the second half.
Player of the match, Japan hooker Mamoru Harada says they knew it was going to be a tough match from the beginning, but they executed well.
Harada says their target now is to beat Fiji and win the championship.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko, Honorary Patron of the Japan Rugby Football Union, met both teams before the game and Japan quickly established total control.
Centre Yuya Hirose produced some impressive footwork and strength to muscle his way through the USA defence for the opening try in the second minute.
Second-row Michael Stolberg soon added a second from close range before a neat passing sequence culminated in Dylan Riley scoring Japan’s third in the ninth minute.
It was a stunning start from the Brave Blossoms in front of the massed ranks of Japan supporters but things got even better for them in the 16th minute.
The impressive Harada got in on the act with their fourth try from close range before his opposite number Shilo Klein hit back for the USA with a similar score.
The Men's Eagles scored again when centre Tavite Lopeti displayed remarkable strength to manoeuvre his way past several Japan defenders to touch down. However, prop Sojiro Otsuka added a fourth for the Brave Blossoms on the stroke of half-time.
Riley added his second and Jack Cornelsen, Esei Haangana and Sam Greene added further scores during a one-sided second half which saw USA captain Jason Damm and Jack Cornelsen sin-binned.
The final between Japan and the Flying Fijians will be played at 10.05pm Saturday at Prince Chichibu Stadium in Tokyo.
