Overview
- Fiji beat Canada 45-29 in Osaka to reach the PNC final after an explosive start that included a 21-second try by Kitione Salawa and a second-half double from Player of the Match Motikai Murray.
- Canada captain Lucas Rumball finished an 80-minute shift with 19 carries, seven defenders beaten and 15 tackles, a performance that kept Canada competitive despite Fiji’s lead.
- Japan produced a 63-14 semi-final rout of the USA, racing to a huge early lead and earning a meeting with defending champions Fiji in Tokyo next weekend.
- Fiji ended their semi-final down to 13 players after late cards to Isoa Nasilasila and Terio Tamani, and World Rugby has cited Nasilasila following the match.
- Wallabies coach Les Kiss named a 34-man squad for the Sept. 27 Perth Test, recalling Jordan Petaia and adding uncapped flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips as cover for Carter Gordon’s fractured fibula to ready Australia for a tougher test of intensity.