Japan defeats Fiji to win Pacific Nations Cup
Japan beat Fiji 20-15 in Tokyo to win the Pacific Nations Cup, their first title since 2019, with a late try sealing the victory. The result moves Japan up to ninth in the world rankings and drops Fiji to 10th, which in turn pushes Wales down to 11th even though Wales did not play this weekend; the rankings are due to be announced on Monday. Key match moments included Virimi Vakatawa opening the scoring for Fiji, a sin-bin for Mesake Doge, tries from Mamoru Harada and Ben Gunter, an Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula penalty, and Canada beating USA 19-16 in the third-place play-off.
Japan's win moves them to ninth and drops Wales to eleventh.
Context
Japan and Fiji met in the Pacific Nations Cup final in Tokyo. Japan won 20-15 and will rise in the world rankings. Wales will drop a place and face Japan in November.
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