Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024: Fiji Secures Final Spot, Tonga Triumphs in Fifth-Place Play-Off
Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 Updates: Fiji defeated the USA in a hard-fought semi-final of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup to guarantee their spot in the championship game.
At Tokyo’s Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Fiji defeated a fierce USA team in the match. They will now play Samoa or Japan, who will square off on Sunday at the same location in the semi-final. Tonga, meanwhile, defeated Canada handily to secure fifth place.
FIJI 22-3 USA
Five-time Pacific Nations Cup winners Fiji defeated USA to secure their spot in next week’s championship match, with goals from Elia Canakaivata in either half.
Fiji had to rely on a second-half surge to pull away from their opponents for the third straight game in Japan, but a youthful and determined USA made them fight for their victory.
In the first match between the two teams since 2014, coach Mick Byrne acknowledged that his young team had not performed at its peak. Pitching later, he remarked, “I thought we were poor at the beginning, but all credit to USA, they came out to play.” They prevented us from playing, were physically abusive, and put a lot of pressure on us.
After four minutes, Eagles fly-half Chris Mattina scored a penalty to start the scoring, demonstrating that the USA had done more than just hold Fiji at bay in the opening exchanges.
But as the first half went on, the might of the five-time champions started to show. Soon after Fiji was held up over the line, their pack began to exert more pressure in the scrums, and fly-half Caleb Muntz gained more and more clout. After 23 minutes, the scores were tied.
It was the first serious threat to the line from Fiji. After a disorganized lineout, Muntz forced an error a meter out, and three minutes later, they got it right. Canakaivata, the player of the match, dived over and grabbed up the lost ball.
With 30 minutes remaining in the second half, Canakaivata found himself at the end of a series of passes to score his second goal of the game. The first half looked promising.
Soon after, Captain Tevita Ikanivere was given a yellow card for a risky clear-out. However, Fiji continued to lead when Frank Lomani easily crossed the line for the game’s final goal on the hour, even though they were down a player.
The USA had opportunities to gain points as the time ran out. However, Fiji’s fierce defense and poor handling kept them out.
Eagles captain Nate Augspurger was pleased with his team’s effort even though they were unable to pass Fiji’s line, particularly in the contact area. “Our goal was to experience their physicality. That had a significant role in our game, he remarked.
There were moments when it seemed like we could get them on their backs with forceful knock-ons and powerful shots. They overtook us in the second half and got away from us.
CANADA 17-30 TONGA
In the fifth-place play-off, Tonga finished their tournament with a solid win, extending their winning streak against Canada to five games.
Following a sluggish opening five minutes spent deep within their own half, “Ikale Tahi,” led by player-of-the-match Patrick Pellegrini at the tenth minute, demonstrated their potency while possessing the ball.
After ten minutes, flanker Siosiua Moala scored the first try of the game with a 5m lineout maul. Five minutes later, winger John Tapueluelu added a magnificent finish to another lineout offensive move by beating three defenders.
Josiah Unga gave Tonga a 19-10 lead at halftime after veteran hooker Andrew Quattrin of Canada had reduced the deficit. Pellegrini’s pop throw had given Unga ample space to dive over.
The Maple Leafs dominated the second half, but despite their intense pressure, they were only able to score one, on a goal by Takoda McMullin 13 minutes from time, thanks to a timely play by Tonga’s defense.
And Tapueluelu gave himself a well-earned second touchdown to seal the victory.
Captain Ben Tameifuna declared right away, “I think we deserved a win after all our efforts in the last couple of weeks.” “The boys put a lot of effort into it. This serves as a springboard for “Ikale Tahi; the World Cup in Australia is our primary goal.”
