Pacific Nations Cup final: Eddie Jones banking on ‘good experience and toughness’ as Japan and Fiji name teams
Skipper Naoto Saito leads out Japan in their Pacific Nations Cup semi-final and, inset, Fiji's Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Eddie Jones is hoping “good experience and toughness” will help Japan defeat Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup final at the third attempt.
The Brave Blossoms lost to the Flying Fijians in the 2024 and 2025 finals, suffering respective 17-41 and 27-33 defeats at Hanazono and Salt Lake City, but they are now aiming to go one step better in their latest encounter in Tokyo on Saturday.
With the 2026 edition of the Pacific Nations reduced to a four-team tournament following the exclusion of Samoa and Tonga, the Japanese opened with a comprehensive 63-14 victory over the United States of America in their semi-final last weekend at Hanazono.
Jones has now made two changes to his XV for the final. Faulua Makisi, an early second-half sub versus the Americans, has been named to start at No.8, with Jack Cornelsen switching from back-row to lock and Michael Stolberg dropping to the bench.
“We’re 100 per cent concentrated on that…”
Their second alteration sees Tomoki Osada included on the left wing, with Kazuma Ueda omitted from matchday 23.
Jones is banking on the experience of 45-cap midfielder Dylan Riley, 36-cap lock Cornelsen and 35-cap skipper Naoto Saito to lead a team of 312 caps to victory.
The coach said: “Our aim this weekend is to win the final and we’re 100 per cent concentrated on that. It’s our third final in a row so it’s a great opportunity for this team to grow.
“If you look at the number of caps, it’s probably one of the most experienced teams we have had this year. We have got good experience and toughness in the team, and we’re looking forward to a really physical and fast performance against Fiji.”
Fiji, meanwhile, have made three changes to the starting XV that picked off Canada 45-29 in their semi-final. Semi-final sub Caleb Muntz comes in at No.10, with Isiah Armstrong-Ravula moving to full-back and Isikeli Rabitu dropping to the bench.
Tuioraki Samusamuvodre is also at inside centre for the absent Kalaveti Ravouvou, while Elia Canakaivata is at No.8 in place of the benched Isoa Tuwai.
Their much-changed bench includes two uncapped players, loosehead Vilikesa Nairau and back Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula said: “We know that Japan is going to be very strong on their home game especially after they recently had two Test matches against Australia and a warm-up match against Canada before the start of the PNC.
“They are a well-coached side. We are not only looking at them, but we will also be focused on our strengths heading into Saturday.”
Japan fared better than Fiji in the recent Southern Series section of new Nations Championship, Jones’ side defeating Italy 27-10 in Tokyo before losing 36-20 to Ireland in Australia and 42-15 to France back in Tokyo.
The Fijians drew a blank in their three outings, ‘home’ matches that were staged in the UK. They were beaten 39-24 by Wales, 73-8 by England and 33-17 by Scotland.
The teams
Japan: 15 Sam Greene, 14 Inoke Burua, 13 Dylan Riley, 12 Yuya Hirose, 11 Tomoki Osada, 10 Ryunosuke Ito, 9 Naoto Saito (c), 8 Faulua Makisi, 7 Kanji Shimokawa, 6 Ben Gunter, 5 Harry Hockings, 4 Jack Cornelsen, 3 Shuhei Takeuchi, 2 Mamoru Harada, 1 Sojiro Otsuka.
Replacements: 16 Kenji Sato, 17 Sena Kimura, 18 Takumi Inaba, 19 Michael Stolberg, 20 Esei Haangana, 21 Tiennan Costley, 22 Shinobu Fujiwara, 23 Samisoni Tua
Fiji: 15 Isiah Armstrong-Ravula, 14 Joji Nasova, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Tuioraki Samusamuvodre, 11 Manasa Mataele, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Motikiai Murray, 6 Kitione Salawa, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (c), 1 Peni Ravai.
Replacements: 16 Kavaia Tagivetaua, 17 Vilikesa Nairau, 18 Sameula Tawake, 19 Isoa Tuwai, 20 Penaia Cakobau, 21 Sam Wye, 22 Isikeli Rabitu, 23 Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
Kick-off: 19:05 local time, 22:05 Fiji, 11:05 UK
Referee: Jordan Way (RA)
Assistants: Damon Murphy (RA), Morgan White HKCR)
TMO: Matt Rodden (HKCR)
Live on: RugbyPass, DISNEY+, Stan Sport, beIN Sports, TSN, TV Nova, Fiji TV, JSPORT, ZIGGO, Sky NZ, SPORT TV, PRO TV, SuperSport, Premier Sports, S4C, Paramount+
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