Japan claim Pacific Nations trophy

Fiji finish with tough win over Samoa

SUVA, Fiji, Aug 10, (RTRS): Japan overpowered a dogged United States 34-20 to win the Pacific Nations Cup in Suva on Saturday and enjoy a timely confidence boost six weeks out from hosting the World Cup.

Captain Michael Leitch scored a try in each half, with winger Kenki Fukuoka and fullback Ryohei Yamanaka also crossing to give the undefeated Brave Blossoms their third triumph in the tournament after claiming the 2011 title and sharing the 2014 trophy with Samoa.

Despite a selection shake-up and some early fumbles, Japan soon produced the high-pace, running rugby that saw them rack up big scores in defeats of Fiji and Tonga.

Jamie Joseph, back in charge after missing the Tonga game due to the death of his mother, was underwhelmed by the win, however, and felt his team had put themselves under pressure.

Joseph would nonetheless have been pleased with the form of rugby sevens specialist Fukuoka and Yamanaka, each of whom shredded the Eagles’ defence with a number of jinking runs.

Fukuoka was unlucky not to have a hat trick of tries, having fumbled an early chance and later been denied another when his foot grazed the touch-line after he beat two defenders and retrieved his own kick behind the goal-line.

Japan enjoyed the perfect start, with Leitch rumbling over at the back of a line-out drive in the fourth minute and Fukuoka grabbed a second try in the opening quarter. Flyhalf Yu Tamura sandwiched the conversions with a penalty as the Brave Blossoms stormed to a 17-0 lead.

The US finally steadied through winger Madison Hughes who crossed after a brilliant carry and offload from flyhalf A.J. MacGinty. Fullback Will Hooley put the Eagles back within seven points with a penalty on the half-hour