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Japan and Fiji will repeat last year's PNC final, and both teams will look to eradicate mistakes this campaign to lift the title in Salt Lake City, where the Pacific Nations Cup champions will be crowned on Saturday, 20th September at America First Field.
Both sides were favoured to reach the final again and are undefeated in this year's PNC. However, Fiji have beaten Japan 15 out of 17 matchups and all four times they have played at neutral venues.
Japan will be bidding to win their fourth Pacific Nations Cup title. They previously lifted the title in 2011, 2014 and 2019. If Fiji defend the title, it will be a record seventh Pacific Nations Cup - having previously lifted the trophy in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2024.
Last year, Fiji beat Japan 41-17 in the final and Fiji coach Mick Byrne said, “They will be fast. We’ll be ready. We’ll prepare for that. We’ve got a few things to focus on ourselves. We know we’re going to be in for a battle next week.”
Fiji Captain Tevita Ikanivere will once again lead from hooker in the same front row, and there are threats from the pairing of Simione Kuruvoli (halfback) and Caleb Muntz at fly-half.
Defending champions Fiji are currently ranked ninth and Japan 13th in the World Rugby Men's Rankings and the venue will be hosting the Pacific Nations Cup for the very first time.
The Flying Fijians will remain ninth even if they lose to Japan, but the Brave Blossoms could rise from 13th to 11th (above Wales and Georgia) if they win the Pacific Nations Cup final.
The Japanese have won and scored 45+ points in their three wins and both teams have a player on 5 tries Amato Fakatava for Japan and Ravouvou for Fiji.
The Brave Blossoms have also been twice as effective as Fiji in winning turnovers and lead the competition with 24.
Japan Head Coach Eddie Jones has selected a similar team to previous rounds, but the big omissions are those of Ben Gunter (head knock), who has been in fantastic form and led a lot of the stats coming into the final, and livewire winger Kippe Ishida (knee injury). Sam Greene is also absent after starting at fullback as he has a hamstring niggle.
They are big losses. Gunter has made the most tackles in the tournament and twice as many as the next player (40), as well as the most dominant hits. Ishida (211 metres) had led the meters made in the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup, and he’s made 70 metres from kick returns.
Jones explained, “We’ve had a few knocks and injuries from the last game and from training, so there are a few changes, but we’re confident that the team can play cohesively, with connection, drive and tactical discipline. Our aim is to win the final against a very good Fijian side.”
In their places are Haruto Kida on the left wing for just his second cap, Tomoki Osada on the right wing, and Ichigo Nakakusu will start at 15 to play his first game of the PNC.
Jones said, “We’ve had a really good preparation for the final and we’re delighted to announce a really strong team that’s come out of a strong squad. The most impressive thing for me as a coach to come out of this PNC has been the depth of the squad and the competition we’ve had for places."
The in-form captain, Warner Dearns (he has played every minute and made 150meters+, 24 tackles, and even has 40+ kicking meters to his name), and Fakatava (240 meters+ and 25 tackles) are important to match the physicality of Fiji and get front foot ball.
Seungsin Lee leads the tournament points ladder with 49 and he continues his partnership with Shinobu Fujiwara who is the starting scrumhalf, while the skilful midfield of Charlie Lawrence and Dylan Riley will have to be at their best.
For Fiji, they have also made changes to the 23, and Kitione Salawa and Isaiah Amstrong-Ravula are new subs set to come from the bench.
Joji Nasova starts on the right wing and was a late replacement in the semifinal after an injury, and his coach said, “He came off the line very well bringing the ball back into the field away from the sideline. He did very well and I’m impressed with him.”
Prop Mesake Doge was cleared to play following his sending off in the semifinal and Fijian coach Mick Byrne added, "It's great for the team, but there is a bigger picture here. We thought it was quite unjust, and we are pleased that the review panel saw it the way we saw it."
Fiji’s Etonia Waqa and Taniela Rakuro are amongst the most dangerous ball carriers in the PNC 2025 and the best stats at getting over the gainline.
Damian Schneider (Argentina) will referee the final with Luke Pearce (England) and Robin Kaluzniak (Canada) as his assistants, Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa) the TMO and Mike Adamson the FPRO.
Tonga plays Canada for the third-place play-off before the final, and Samoa take on Chile in the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 qualifier first leg.
