The Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 reaches a crescendo this weekend with Fiji facing Japan in the final at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo.
The Flying Fijians are bidding to be crowned champions for the third successive year and clinch a record-extending eighth Pacific Nations Cup title overall.
They beat Canada 45-29 in last weekend’s semi-final in Osaka and will now look to complete a hat-trick of consecutive final wins over the Brave Blossoms, who dispatched USA 63-14 in the other semi-final.
The third-place play-off sees North American rivals Canada and USA face off in an intriguing curtain-raiser to the final.
Final: Fiji v Japan – Saturday, 19:05 local time (GMT-8)
There will be more than a little sense of familiarity when Fiji face off against Japan in Saturday’s Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 final in what promises to be a mouthwatering showdown between two expansive teams.
They have met in the title decider for the past two years with the Flying Fijians prevailing on both occasions, 41-17 in Osaka in 2024 and 33-27 in Salt Lake City in 2025.
Fiji displayed their customary attacking brilliance during their semi-final win over Canada in Osaka last weekend but will also look to sharpen their defensive edge after conceding four tries.
Interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula has moved Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula from fly-half to full-back so Franki Lomani will be partnered at half-back by Caleb Muntz.
Vilikesa Nairau and Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens are in line to make their debuts off the bench where Sam Wye has been named in place of HSBC SVNS star Terio Tamani.
“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,” said Seruvakula.
“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 head coach Eddie Jones has made three changes to the side who impressively beat USA 63-14 last weekend.
Faulua Makisi caught the eye off the bench against the Men's Eagles and has been rewarded with a starting berth against Fiji at number eight.
Jack Cornelsen filled that role last week in Osaka but has been switched to the second row where he will partner former Australia U20 player Harry Hockings.
Michael Storberg drops to the bench while in the backline Tomoki Osada has been drafted into the side on the wing.
Having finished runners-up in the past two years, the Brave Blossoms are bidding to become champions for the first time since 2019 and claim a fourth title overall.
Third place play-off: Canada v USA – Saturday, 16:00 local time (GMT-8)
Canada head coach Stephen Meehan is looking to build on the positives in their semi-final defeat to Fiji as his men prepare to face USA in the third place play-off.
Although Meehan’s side conceded seven tries against the Flying Fijians, there was much to admire in how they attacked in their 45-29 loss to the defending champions.
Canada scored four tries of their own through Mason Flesch’s brace, Sion Parry and Kyle Tremblay. Their 29 points against a Fiji side ranked ninth was the most Canada have scored against a Nations Championship side since they registered the same amount against the Flying Fijians in Vancouver in 1999.
Meehan said: “We were happy with some of the rugby we played against Fiji; good continuity, close passing and some really good passages of play. We want to become a team that keeps the opposition guessing.
“The USA are a disciplined side and have a style they’ve been very reliant on. I completely understand the rivalry and, frankly, I really enjoy it.”
Meehan is drawing on the recent past for inspiration and memories of last year’s Pacific Nations Cup 34-20 win over the Eagles in front of 11,587 fans at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium.
In his first test match since 2021, number eight Tyler Ardron claimed four tries to equal a Canadian single-test record that had stood since 2000.
Moreover, the victory gave Canada a first win over their neighbours since 2021.
Meehan recalled: “It was quite an emotional night in Calgary after our win last year, seeing people coming together after the game, singing the national anthem and celebrating the occasion.
“It was a lovely moment. We’re trying to develop something here, and the longer we spend together, the greater the understanding the players will have of how we want to play and of one another.
“Their skills and understanding of the game have developed over the last 15 months, and collectively and individually they’ve been getting better every week. Hopefully, that trend continues.”
Foster DeWitt will start at hooker and Jesse Kilgour returns to the starting XV at scrum-half to partner Cooper Coats at half-back. Siôn Parry and Isaac Olson are unavailable due to injury but flanker Ethan Fryer will make his first start since returning from a skull fracture suffered against Chile in 2024.
Captain Lucas Rumball is set to earn his 70th cap for Canada this weekend and will become the fourth most-capped player in the team’s history.
USA head coach Scott Lawrence has made a number of changes as his side look to clinch third place.
Fakaosifolau Pifeleti comes into the starting line-up at loose-head prop and Lance Williams also earns a start at openside flanker.
In the backline, Luke Carty is promoted from the bench to replace Christopher Hilsenbeck at fly-half and he will partner Ruben de Haas. Julian Roberts and Cassh Maluia come into the starting line-up on the wing and at inside-centre respectively.
Watch the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 on RugbyPass TV or your local rights-holding broadcaster. Click here to find your local broadcaster.
