The Pacific Nations Cup has discovered its semi-finalists after three action-packed rounds from throughout the Pacific rim, with two sides additionally relegated to a fifth-place last and set to overlook the ultimate week in Osaka.
Tokyo performs host to this week’s spherical, with Tonga and Canada the groups battling to finish their respective campaigns on a excessive after falling quick in every of their opening fixtures. The comfort contest will open the weekend’s festivities at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Pool A winners Fiji will then play Pool B runners-up the USA within the first semi-final of the weekend. The winner should wait till Sunday to seek out their last opponents, as Pool B champions Japan and Pool A runner-up Samoa kick off their semi-final on Sunday afternoon.
Right here’s every little thing it’s essential to know forward of Asahi Tremendous Dry Pacific Nations Cup spherical 4, obtainable to observe on RugbyPass TV in sure areas.
Tonga vs Canada
The place: Worth Chichibu Memorial Stadium
Kick-off time: 16:00 native time, Saturday 14th September
Tonga get pleasure from a four-game win streak on this matchup stretching again to 2015, however might want to enhance tremendously on either side of the ball after rating lifeless final in factors per sport and deal with proportion within the match to date.
What the Canadians shall be cautious of nonetheless is the sting within the Tongan defence after they get it proper, with a formidable 11.5 dominant tackles per sport main the sphere.
Canada have two of the match’s most prolific ball-carriers so followers can anticipate a day of heavy collisions within the contact space.
The Canadians have the higher hand within the set piece statistics as effectively, due to their 100 per cent scrum success charge and a lineout success charge 18 factors higher than their opponents.
Each groups boast top-three goal-kickers within the match, signalling the significance of self-discipline within the contest.
The Canadians shall be battling the immense Tokyo warmth, one thing that shall be extra unfamiliar to them than their Pacific Island opponents.
Head-to-Head
Final 2 Conferences
Common Factors scored
8
Fiji vs USA
The place: Worth Chichibu Memorial Stadium
Kick-off time: 19:05 native time, Saturday 14th September
The primary of the semi-finals for the weekend sees Rugby World Cup quarter-finalists tackle a staff bitterly disillusioned to overlook qualification for the game’s showpiece occasion in 2023 and out to show their place in rugby’s aggressive worldwide panorama.
The Eagles haven’t emerged victorious in a conflict with the Flying Fijians since 1999, which was the nation’s solely win over Fiji.
The problem for the USA shall be reaching the Fijian 22, the place they’ve confirmed to be the simplest attacking aspect in turning these alternatives into factors. The staff ranks final nonetheless in 22m entries, highlighting the significance of the territory sport.
unsurprisingly, Fiji’s assault was the benchmark all through the pool phases, the place they made dominant contact on a whopping 50 per cent of their carries, with gamers like centre Iosefo Masi and out of doors again Vuate Karawalevu main from the entrance.
Head-to-Head
Final 1 Assembly
Common Factors scored
14
Japan vs Samoa
The place: Worth Chichibu Memorial Stadium
Kick-off: 15:05 native time, Sunday fifteenth September
This can be a rivalry that turned a nook in 2014, when Samoa had gained 11 of the primary 13 matchups towards Japan. Since then, Japan have overwhelmed Samoa in 4 of the previous 5 contests.
In 2023 the groups cut up honours, with every profitable one contest apiece when enjoying in an unofficial Pacific Nations Cup fixture – gained by Samoa – after which on the Rugby World Cup – gained by Japan.
Japan’s assault has been firing within the match so far, scoring over 40 factors towards each Canada and the USA to emerge from pool play undefeated.
Maybe the largest characteristic of the staff’s assault is their gainline success, which leads the competitors at a exceptional 72 per cent. Eddie Jones’ males are from a one-trick pony although, with their deal with charge additionally main the competitors.
Samoa alternatively boast essentially the most deal with breaks within the competitors, additionally making an attempt their semi-final opponents for many offloads. Tuna Tuitama leads the pack with 11 deal with breaks himself.
Head-to-Head
Final 3 Conferences
Common Factors scored
29
