The Pacific Nations Cup last is upon us, and it’s a rematch of final 12 months’s Osaka epic, this time to be performed out in Utah. Now, the group sheets are in.
With each finalists, Japan and Fiji, operating up 62- and 63-point scorelines, respectively, within the semi-final stage, the groups are each heading to the ultimate in flying type.
Fiji’s 41-17 triumph in the identical fixture a 12 months in the past is certain to be at the back of each groups’ minds, however Eddie Jones’ youthful Japan aspect has obtained some significant runs on the board within the time since, and once more tore by the pool phases in 2025, outscoring their opposition by 68 in simply the 2 Exams.
Fiji’s group naming sees Caleb Muntz again at 10, after an impression position within the semi-finals, whereas injured former All Black Seta Tamanivalu is changed by Fiji’s hat-trick hero of the semi-final, Kalaveti Ravouvou, who shifts from wing to centre. Mesake Doge has been named to begin after his semi-final crimson card was overturned by an unbiased disciplinary committee this week.
For Fiji, one change within the pack sees Faulua Makisi promoted to the beginning unit on the blindside flank, whereas the skin backs have been shuffled with Haruto Kida and Ichigo Nakakusu becoming a member of Tomoki Osada within the beginning XV. The group has opted in opposition to the 6/2 bench break up they utilised every week in the past.
Fiji group to play Japan
- Eroni Mawi
- Tevita Ikanivere (captain)
- Mesake Doge
- Mesake Vocevoce
- Temo Mayanavanua
- Etonia Waqa
- Elia Canakaivata
- Viliame Mata
- Simione Kuruvoli
- Caleb Muntz
- Taniela Rokuro
- Inia Tabuavou
- Kalaveti Ravouvou
- Joji Nasova
- Ponipate Loganimasi
Reserves
16. Zuriel Togiatama
17. Haereiti Hetet
18. Samu Tawake
19. Isoa Nasilasila
20. Kitione Salawa
21. Samuel Wye
22. Kemueli Valetini
23. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Japan group to play Fiji
- Kenta Kobayashi
- Hayate Period
- Shuhei Taekuchi
- Jack Cornelsen
- Warner Dearns (captain)
- Faulua Makisi
- Kanji Shimokawa
- Amato Fakatava
- Shinobu Fujiwara
- Seungsin Lee
- Haruto Kida
- Charlie Lawrence
- Dylan Riley
- Tomoki Osada
- Ichigo Nakakusu
Replacements
16. Kenji Sato
17. Ryosuke Iwaihara
18. Keijiro Tamefusa
19. Tiennan Costley
20. Akito Okui
21. Kenta Fukuda
22. Yuya Hirose
23. Shogo Nakano
The bronze medal match between Tonga and the USA will precede the ultimate, with 2024’s fifth-place play-off contenders, Tonga and the USA, vying for a top-three end in 2025.
Tonga managed to no less than put up 24 factors of their very own of their semi-final blowout loss to Japan, however the USA, who scored simply 10 factors final week, will take pleasure in a house crowd in Utah.
Tonga team to play Canada
- Siegfried Fisi’ihoi
- Sam Moli
- Ben Tameifuna (captain)
- Veikoso Poloniati
- Harison Mataele
- Tevita Ahokovi
- Tupou Afungia
- Siosiua Moala
- Sonatane Takulua
- Patrick Pellegrini
- John Tapueluelu
- Fetuli Paea
- Salesi Piutau
- Nikolai Foliaki
- Josiah Unga
Replacements
16. Sefo Sakalia
17. Leopino Maupese
18. Tau Koloamatangi
19. Tali Finau
20. Ephraim Tuitupou
21. Siaosi Nai
22. Uilisi Halaholo
23. James Faiva
Canada group to play Tonga
- Calixto Martinez
- Dewald Kotze
- Cole Keith
- Piers von Dadelszen
- Izzak Kelly
- Mason Flesch (captain)
- 7 Siôn Parry
- Matt Oworu
- Brock Gallagher
- Peter Nelson
- Josiah Morra
- Talon McMullin
- Spencer Jones
- Jack Shaw
- Nic Benn
Replacements
16. Austin Creighton
17. Emerson Prior
18. Kyle Steeves
19. Callum Botchar
20. Matt Heaton
21. Jason Higgins
22. Noah Flesch
23. Shane O’Leary
The curtain raiser will probably be a consequential showdown between Samoa and Chile, with a spot on the 2027 Rugby World Cup awarded to the winner of the two-Check sequence, which is able to conclude in Chile’s lovely Viña del Mar subsequent weekend.
Samoa group to play Chile
- Aki Seiuli
- Pita Anae Ah Sue
- Michael Alaalatoa (captain)
- Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee
- Michael Curry
- Olajuwon Noa
- Alamanda Motuga
- 8 Iokopo Mapu
- Connor Tupa’i
- Christian Leali’ifano
- Latrell Ah Kiong
- Theodore Steffany
- Melani Nanai
- Elisapeta Alofipo
- Logali Visinia
Replacements
16. Ray Niuia
17. Jarred Adams
18. Bradley So’o Amituanai
19. Potu Leavasa
20. Abraham Papali’i
21. Joel Lam
22. Henry Taefu
23. Tomasi Alosio
Chile group to play Samoa
- Javier Carrasco
- Diego Escobar
- Iñaki Gurruchaga
- Santiago Pedrero
- Javier Eissmann
- Raimundo Martínez
- Clemente Saavedra (captain)
- Alfonso Escobar
- Benjamín Videla
- Juan Cruz Reyes
- Iñaki Ayarza
- 12 Santiago Videla
- Matías Garafulic
- Nicolás Garafulic
- 15 Cristóbal Recreation
Replacements
16. Augusto Böhme
17. Norman Aguayo
18. Matías Dittus
19. Bruno Sáez
20. Ernesto Tchimino
21. Lucas Berti
22. Nicolás Saab
23. Tomás Salas
