A long day at the office for the Eagles against a dominant Fiji, while Canada put up a fight but ultimately fell to resurgent Japan in Pacific Nations Cup action.

FIJI 35 vs 10 UNITED STATES
Wednesday, June 19, 08:10 GMT, Nagoya

As expected the Fijian guile was too much for the lowly Americans, but it was at the scrum that the surprises came. On almost half a dozen occasions Fiji came away with the ball on a United States put in as they decimated the Eagle pack on almost every hit. If the rain hadn’t been so heavy at times causing numerous handling errors, the score would have been even more lopsided.

Coach Mike Tolkin’s choice to play a largely second string side was always going to end only one way, but the lack of intensity displayed by some of the fringe players will be worrisome. The Eagle defense was like swiss cheese at times, with players not even in position to make tackles never mind fall off them. To add to the misery was a serious looking knee injury to flanker John Quill, who collided with a teammate only a few minutes before the final whistle.

Both sides will stay in country until the weekend, when Fiji face Tonga and the Americans line up against Japan in Tokyo. Based on this performance it’s easy to figure out which side will be more positive about their chances. It will be a couple days of rest for Fiji, and a lot of homework for the United States.

SCORING
Fiji – S. Bai 3c 3p, N. Matawalu 1t, N. Nagusa 1t, M. Matadigo 1t, N. Kenatale 1t
United States – A. Siddall 1c 1p, A. Suniula 1t

FIJI
T. Naguca (N. Kenatale HT); N. Nalaga, N. Nadolo, S. Bai, S. Bobo (A. Delai 4-5, 55); S. Koroilagilagi (L. Tabuarua 55), N. Matawalu; J. Yanuyanutawa (C. Ma’afu HT), T. Tuapati (V. Veikoso HT), S. Somoca (M. Saulo HT-72); A. Ratuniyarawa, A. Naikatini (I. Ratuva 55); N. Talei, A. Qera (capt.) (M. Ravulo 50), M. Matadigo.

UNITED STATES
B. Scully; L. Hume, A. Siddall, S. Kelly, J. Paterson (A. Suniula 33); T. L’Estrange, R. Shaw (M. Petri 54); N. Wallace (S. Pittman HT), Z. Fenoglio (C. Biller 62), E. Fry (P. Thiel HT); G. Harriman, L. Stanfill (capt.); J. Quill (C. Wyles 72), P. Dahl (B. Doyle 33), C. Dolan.

JAPAN 16 vs 13 CANADA
Wednesday, June 19, 10:10 GMT, Nagoya

With the rain continuing to pour down, the two sides still managed to put on a show in between the expected handling problems and territorial kicking exchanges. Canada had a slight edge after the first half, but Japan took the spoils through star fullback Ayumu Goromaru, who led the way with all his team’s points.

Canada got a break when Nanyak Dala re-gathered an errant kickoff and sparked a good try for Ciaran Hearn. Not to be outdone, outstanding flyhalf Harumichi Tatekawa stepped inside a defender and set up a well worked try of their own finished by Goromaru. From there it was up to the kickers, with a late penalty goal sealing the victory.

Canada finish the tournament with three wins but will almost certainly have to settle for second place unless Fiji and Tonga draw on Saturday. Japan secure only their first win and face the United States, with the loser bringing up the bottom of the table.

SCORING
Japan – A. Goromaru 1c 3p 1t
Canada – J. Pritchard 1c 2p, C. Hearn 1t

JAPAN
A. Goromaru; T. Hirose (capt.), M. Sa’u, Y. Tamura, K. Fukuoka (Y. Fujita 36); H. Tatekawa, F. Tanaka (A. Hiwasa 67); Y. Nagae (M. Mikami 70), S. Horie (T. Kizu 78), K. Hatakeyama (H. Yamashita 70); J. Ives (H. Ono 73), S. Makabe (S. Ito 54); H. Tui, M. Broadhurst, T. Kikutani.

CANADA
J. Pritchard; C. Braid, C. Hearn, N. Blevins, T. Paris (M. Fuailefau 60); L. Underwood (P. Parfrey 64), S. White; H. Buydens (T. Dolezel 76), R. Hamilton (R. Barkwill HT), J. Marshall (A. Tiedemann 67); J. Phelan (C. Pierce 67), B. Beukeboom; T. Ardron, N. Dala, A. Carpenter (capt.) (A. Flagg 60).