Japan Brave Blossoms vs Fiji PNC Final 2024 Preview

The Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 final will see Japan’s Brave Blossoms vs Fiji on Saturday 21 September at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium.

Both Japan and Fiji are undefeated heading into the final and Fiji hope to extend their run as the most successful team in the competition’s history, with five titles thus far but the last time was in 2018.

They also have the tournament’s top try-scorer in Elia Canakaivata and the best defence, so the hosts will need to be on song to topple the Pacific Islanders. The Fijians though also enjoy a superior head-to-head record, with 15 wins out of 19 against Japan and five from the past six encounters.

The last time Japan played Fiji was a 35-12 loss at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in August 2023 but Japan will arrive in Osaka Prefecture confident in their three wins thus far, in which they have scored plenty of points. The Brave Blossom will be looking to claim their fourth PNC title if they beat Fiji. They will need to focus for the full 80 minutes as The Flying Fijians have not conceded a single point in the second half during the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup so far.

The set piece has been a weapon for Japan and they are yet to lose a lineout on their own throw – winning 35 out of 35.

The flyhalves for both sides have been instrumental- but its Japans Seungsin Lee (who moved to full-back for the semi-final) who has scored the most points with 53 points, 19 ahead of Fiji’s number #10, Caleb Muntz.

Nic Berry is the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 final referee.

Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 – Final Fixtures

• USA face Samoa on Saturday 21 September 2024 – 3/4th
• Japan vs Fiji Saturday 21 September 2024 – Final

Match Permutations PNC 2024 –  Japan Brave Blossoms vs Fiji Final (September 2024)

• Fiji can climb up to ninth if they win at Hanazono Rugby Stadium and Australia lose to New Zealand in Sydney – however at least one of those results would need to be by more than 15 points for Fiji to swap places with the Wallabies.
• If Japan wins, they will move above Georgia and into 12th place.
• If the Brave Blossoms lose, they could drop to 14th, if Samoa wins the third-place play-off against the USA – 0ne of those results would need to be by a margin of more than 15 points for Japan to slip down the rankings.

Japan Squad vs Fiji – Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 Final

Japan’s Eddie Jones has selected the same starting line-up that beat Samoa in the semifinal. In the reserves, uncapped Junta Hamano is named in the number 23 jersey.

Japan (1-15): 1. Shogo Miura, 2. Mamoru Harada, 3. Shuhei Takeuchi, 4. Ratu Epeneri Uluiviti, 5. Warner Dearns, 6. Amato Fakatava, 7. Kanji Shimokawa, 8. Faulua Makisi, 9. Shinobu Fujiwara, 10. Harumichi Tatekawa, 11. Malo Tuitama, 12. Nicholas McCurran, 13. Dylan Riley, 14. Tomoki Osada, 15. Seungsin Lee.

Replacements: 16. Kenta Matsuoka, 17. Takato Okabe, 18. Keijiro Tamefusa, 19. Isaiah Collins-Mapusua, 20. Tiennan Costley, 21. Taiki Koyama, 22. Yusuke Kajimura, 23. Junta Hamano.

More can be seen here on Japan in the PNC 2024.

Fiji Squad vs Japan – Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 Final

Fiji coach Mick Byrne has made just one change to the Fiji team that beat USA as Ilaisa Droasese starts on the left wing in place of Epeli Momo. Droasese’s place in the reserves is taken by Olympic silver medallist Ponipate Loganismasi.

Fiji (1-15): 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 3. Samu Tawake, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua, 6. Meli Derenalagi, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Caleb Muntz, 11. Ilaisa Droasese, 12. Inia Tabuavou, 13. Iosefo Baleiwairiki, 14. Vuate Karawalevu, 15. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.

Replacements: 16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Haereiti Hetet, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Ratu Rotuisolia, 20. Albert Tuisue, 21. Peni Matawalu, 22. Apisalome Vota, 23. Ponipate Loganismasi.

More can be seen here on Fiji in the PNC 2024.

How To Watch The PNC 2024

The Pacific Nations Cup 2024 will be available to watch everywhere either through a local broadcast partner or on RugbyPass TV. The match will be available on J SPORTS in Japan and via Digicel for Fiji fans.

International Rugby 2024

• Eddie Jones Commits To Developing Youth In the New Era of Brave Blossoms at PNC 2024.
• Japan Brave Blossoms vs USA PNC 2024 Preview.
• Japan Brave Blossoms vs Canada PNC 2024 Preview.
• WXV 2024 Details Confirmed – WXV 3 Heads Back To Dubai.