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Japan defeated the United States 63‑14 on Saturday to secure a place in the Pacific Nations Cup final against defending champions Fiji.
The match took place at Osaka Prefecture’s Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka, Japan. Japan’s forwards and backs combined for nine tries, while the United States managed two. Center Yuya Hirose opened the scoring with a try in the second minute, followed by a series of Japanese points that left the U.S. trailing 28‑0 before the Americans mounted a brief comeback with two unanswered tries.
Head coach Eddie Jones said the U.S. team “lost a bit of concentration more than anything” and that “just making some silly errors that then compounded.” He added that Japan’s “dominant defensive performance” in the second half kept the visitors scoreless after a 35‑14 lead at halftime.
Fiji, the tournament’s seven‑time champions, advanced to the final after a 45‑29 win over Canada at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on September 19.
Hooker Mamoru Harada, named player of the match, said the Brave Blossoms had expected a “tough match” but had executed well. “Our target now is to beat Fiji and win the championship,” he added.
Article and image source: english.kyodonews.net
