ENR: Pacific Nations Cup (5)
Osaka, Japan; the setting for the final weekend of the PNC. The opening game being the third place play off between USA and Samoa. This would be followed by the grand final of Fiji vs Japan.
Samoa opened with a ferocious attack but it was USA who got on the board first. Ill discipline from Samoa gave fly half, Carty, his first three points of the game. Just moments later Samoa attempted a cross field kick that was intercepted expertly by fullback, Fricker, who only had the try line in front of him. USA were up 10 points up in the same amount of minutes and Samoa had to find an answer. Pouncing on a USA error, Samoan fly half, Iona, brings his team closer with an easy penalty kick. After several resets, the Samoan scrum finally managed to gain dominance. Giving them their second kickable penalty, taking Samoa within 4 points. Before the half was called USA had a long range penalty attempt to stretch their lead but Carty lacked the power and the score remained 10-6 to USA.
8-man, Petelo-Mapu, opened the second half with a violent carry, shaking off several defenders to score under the posts. USA worked their way back to the Samoan try line and, after building enough pressure, equalised with a penalty kick. Samoa responded immediately with a try but was disallowed due to a knock-on in the breakdown before. Samoa continued their offensive and were making headway but for every line break they made, USA answered with a scramble defence and would manage a turnover. Time was ticking away and as the scores were still equal, it was an easy decision for Samoa to kick their next penalty. A halfway line effort that, unfortunately for Samoa, sailed just wide of the posts. USA’s discipline in the final ten minutes dropped. After their third consecutive penalty, lock, Damm, was binned for collapsing the maul. Samoa attempted another maul but were unsuccessful, gifting USA an easy exit. With only three minutes to go, Samoa played coast to coast from an attacking scrum, the returning play finding replacement fullback, Nanai, awaiting. He scooped up the ball and beat his man to the corner, putting Samoa in the lead. USA had one final attack but a knock-on ended the game 13-18 to Samoa.
Both teams showed a noticeable improvement from their opening games in the pool stages. USA played with an intricate attacking structure but Samoa’s accuracy in defence kept them in the game. USA’s fitness and discipline has to come into question, especially when gifting back to back penalties in the last moments of the game. After opening with a heavy loss to Fiji, Samoa can be pleased with a third place finish. A well matched game that went to the wire.
USA 13 - 18 Samoa
The grand final between pool toppers Japan and Fiji opened in an exhilarating fashion. Both teams found their way into the opposition 22m however Japan were the first to profit. Lee putting his team ahead by 3. Fiji’s Muntz equalised moments later after Japan infringed at the ruck. The crowd had to wait till the twentieth minute before the first try. Outside centre, Riley of Japan, delivered the goods. Playing open from a scrum, he sent three defenders to the touchline with a step then chipped over the last defender to score. Fiji worked a wrap around attack to get over the line for their first try but were called back for a knock-on, spotted by the TMO. They wouldn’t have to wait long though. In a frenetic period of play that summed up the half, Japan intercepted then, Fiji blocked a chip through. This left winger, Karawalevu, chasing a loose ball to collect and run the length to score. In the dying minutes of the half, Japan’s Harada, is sent to the bin for a high tackle, but they contained the Fijian threat till the half and the scores remained equal at 10-10.
Fiji held dominance over the second half straight from the kickoff. Muntz had an early dive for the corner but, due to an obstruction that caused the line break, it was wiped off the score board. An expert turnover from blindside flanker, Rotuisolia, finally gave Muntz the chance to edge Fiji forward by 3 points. Despite Japan returning to a full fifteen men, Fiji still found a three man overlap on the right wing, further solidify their lead. Japan played the next five minutes in a spirited fashion but simple errors prevented them from progressing on the scoreboard. Eventually Fiji claimed a loose ball and kicked a 50:22. A trick play from the lineout created such confusion in the Japanese defence, replacement forward, Tuisui, managed to navigate the bodies and reach the try line. The floodgates had seemed to open for Fiji as Kawalevu secured his brace of trys, jinking his opposite man on the wing. Loganimasi was to claim Fiji’s final try after Japan failed to retain possession at their own ruck. Japan, out classed by the tenacity of the Fijians style, still had something to say before the game was finished. A set piece play from the last lineout split the Fijian defence and winger Tuitama claimed Japans consolation try.
An indisputable performance from Fiji where it meant the most in this tournament. Having most of their players coming from the Drua franchise clearly had an advantage for team cohesion. Japan’s effort this tournament cannot be faulted or ignored and special mention has to go to Seungsin Lee who didn’t miss a single kick the entire competition. Japan will have to face the All Blacks next which, despite their disappointing results in the Rugby Championship, will be Japans biggest challenge this year. Fiji will play the slightly more manageable Scotland in November and will no doubt be looking to continue with their momentum.
Fiji 41 - 17 Japan
