The Flying Fijians marching into rhythm as they prepare to face Canada. File photo. Photo: Fiji Rugby Union
The Flying Fijians will defend their Pacific Nations Cup title against Japan in the final next weekend.
Both teams claimed victories in the semi-finals at the DICK'S Sporting Goods Park in Denver, Colorado, earlier today.
It will be a repeat of last year's final, where the Fijians outplayed and outscored Japan.
The Japanese were impressive in their second-half dominance of the Tongans to win 62-24, having led 21-19 at halftime.
The Fijians, on the other hand, accounted for Canada in a one-sided affair, leading 43-3 at halftime, despite losing prop Mesake Doge to a yellow card eight minutes from the end.
Next weekend, the two sides will meet in Salt Lake City in Utah, to decide the 2025 winner.
Fiji scored six first-half tries and three more in the second as they overwhelmed a brave Canada.
Bristol Bears star Kalaveti Ravouvou scored a hat-trick while his wing partner and Taranaki flyer Taniela Rakuro claimed a double.
Japan scored five tries in a second-half exhibition of attacking rugby to ease away from Tonga and book their place in next weekend's final.
The Ikale Tahi will now meet Canada in the third-place play-off next weekend.
Big prop Ben Tameifuna, who led the side and scored a try, said their second-half effort was disappointing, after having trailed by two points at halftime.
"We've worked pretty hard the past couple of weeks," he said after the game.
"We got points in the first half, but couldn't capitalise in the second."
Opensde flanker Foto Lokotui had got Tonga off to the perfect start, scoring the game's first try after 6 minutes, as he sheared off the back of a lineout maul to touch down, moments after being denied by the width of a defender's hand.
Captain Ben Tameifuna crashed over from a 5m tap penalty in the 26th minute, and Veikoso Poloniati was unstoppable as Tonga pulled out a trick 5m lineout move two minutes before the break.
Although Japan had conceded 19 first-half points, they scored 21 in an end-to-end opening 40. They hit back within five minutes of Lokotui's opening as quick-thinking at a free-kick saw prop Shuhei Takeuchi burst through tackles and feed supporting hooker Hayate Era.
Number 8 and Tongan heritage player Amato Fakatava then broke off the back of a disintegrating scrum to score their second, his fifth of the tournament.
Centre Dylan Riley extended Japan's lead again in the early exchanges of the second half, collecting a chip over the defensive line to score under the posts in the 42nd minute.
Tonga were down to 14 players when Tupou Afungia was sin-binned.
Kingpin Patrick Pellegrini played a great game for the Tongans and set up winger John Tapueluelu for a second-half try.
Fiji strong
Fiji, on the other hand, proved too strong for Canada in their clash.
While Ravouvou and Rakuro showed their speed and stepping abilities, other scorers included Mesake Vocevoce, Etonia Waqa and Eroni Mawi.
The champions were temporarily reduced to 13 in the game when prop Mesake Doge was yellow-carded, which was later upgraded to a red card, and flanker Waqa was sin-binned for another high tackle.
But despite their numerical disadvantage, Fiji never stopped running the ball.
The only variation on a theme came when they won a penalty and opted to kick. Kemueli Valetini's shot at goal was good, and the Flying Fijians broke 50 points in the 53rd minute.
Canadian captain Mason Flesch admitted the final scoreline was 'difficult to take'.
"We were really looking to back up our performance against Japan," he said.
"We had a really positive first-half against them, but Fiji outworked us."
He admitted their third-place playoff clash against Tonga will be pretty much the same.
"We're expecting them to be very physical and direct. Maybe not as much flair as Fiji, but it's definitely going to be a front-up confrontational battle."
Fiji head coach Mick Byrne was impressed at his side's start, an area of their game he'd been critical of previously.
"The last couple of games we've been a little bit slow out of the blocks, and I thought today we started with some real vigour and real intent," he said. "We lost our way a bit with the discipline, but we were still able to put points on the board."
He reckons Japan will be tougher and more clinical, bringing with them fast-paced rugby when the two sides meet in the final.
"They'll be fast. We'll be ready, we'll prepare for that," he said.
"We've got a few things we need to work on ourselves. The scrum got away from us in the second half, so we need to square that up. We know we're going to be in for a battle next week."
Victorious captain Tevita Ikanivere said it was a proud team effort.
"We did what we talked about throughout the week," he said.
"We knew Canada would come hard at us because we're defending champions, and we talked about hunting them down. I'm just proud of the effort the boys put in from the first minute to the 80th, and how we handled the two cards. We're going to work on our discipline and be better for it.
"We'll enjoy the win tonight, go back to the drawing board tomorrow and enjoy the six-day turnaround before we get to meet [Japan] next week."
In the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifier, the US Eagles have secured their spot after their win over Samoa earlier.
Manu Samoa will now meet Chile in the play-off over the next two weeks to qualify as the 23rd team.
Failing that, they will then play in the last play-off against the bottom-placed European and African teams, to earn the 24th team spot for the World meet in two years.
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