Canada continues their Japan tour against Fiji on Saturday in what will act as a Semi Final for an abbreviated Pacific Nations Cup. It’s a chance for the two-time defending tournament champions to get back in the win column after a disappointing Nations Cup series in July. The Maple Leafs are coming off a heavy defeat to the Brave Blossoms, and will hope to show improvement up front where the pack were overwhelmed in the set piece.
Current World Ranking: 9 (78.00 points)
2026-07-18 – Scotland 33, Fiji 17 (Edinburgh)
2026-07-11 – England 73, Fiji 8 (Liverpool)
2026-07-04 – Wales 39, Fiji 24 (Cardiff)
2025-11-22 – Spain 33, Fiji 41 (Malaga)
2025-11-15 – France 34, Fiji 21 (Bordeaux)
Current World Ranking: 24 (60.37 points)
2026-09-05 – Japan 57, Canada 12 (Niigawa)
2026-07-18 – Canada 23, Zimbabwe 19 (Winnipeg)
2026-07-11 – Canada 14, Portugal 38 (Edmonton)
2026-07-04 – Canada 42, Spain 42 (Edmonton)
2026-11-22 – Portugal 33, Canada 27 (Coimbra)
IN
OUT
1
Peni Ravai
Eroni Mawi
3
Mesake Doge
Samu Tawake
4
Mesake Vocevoce
Isoa Nasilasila
6
Kitione Salawa
Pita-Gus Sowakula
7
Motikiai Murray
Lekima Tagitagivalu
8
Isoa Tuwai
Elia Canakaivata
11
Manasa Mataele
Jiuta Wainiqolo
12
Kalaveti Ravouvou
Josua Tuisova
14
Joji Nasova
Selestino Ravutaumada
15
Isikeli Rabitu
Caleb Muntz
IN
OUT
2
Dewald Kotze
Foster DeWitt
9
Jason Higgins
Jesse Kilgour
11
Jamie Armstrong
Liam James
13
Jacob Ince
Isaac Olson
the Fijians were decisive winners in last year’s PNC collision, with the last Canadian success in the head-to-head played at Ottawa in 2013
both teams are missing top players as this year’s tournament is not included in World Rugby’s international release window
Fiji have named four new caps in their squad… Drua back row Isoa Tuwai gets the nod at No8… and on the bench Drua hooker Penaia Cakobau is joined by tighthead prop Inoke Ravuiwasa, who recently agreed a move to the Drua… Sevens star Terio Tamani gets his first look in the Fiji XVs setup
Outside center Virimi Vakatawa is one of five starters who also ran out against Scotland in July… the 34-year-old wins his second Fiji cap, having previously made 31 appearances for France
new Rotherham signing Dewald Kotze and Cork Constitution scrumhalf Jason Higgins add experience to the Canadian lineup… it’s the second test start for midfielder Jacob Ince, and the first for wing Jamie Armstrong who debuted as a replacement against Japan last week
apart from Higgins and fullback Takoda McMullin, none of the Canadian backline are in their preferred positions… flyhalf Cooper Coats is back into the squad after being a late scratch a week ago but will take a spot on the bench, with regular center Spencer Jones again deputising at No10
Senirusi Seruvakula (Head Coach)
“We have four debutants in the team with two of them coming from the Fijian Drua camp – Isoa Tuwai and Penaia Cakobau stepping up – while Inoke Ravuiwasa and Terio Tamani have been selected from the Skipper Cup competition. These guys showed potential when they walked into camp and have earned a spot heading into the match against Canada this weekend”
Steve Meehan (Head Coach)
“We’ve made some changes to the squad this week. It was always our intention to share the load a little on this tour and provide people with opportunities to get back into it.”
“The key message against teams like Fiji is always to expect the unexpected. We must remain diligent and disciplined with our defensive game.”
Hot and humid conditions are expected at kickoff, which surely favors the Pacific Islanders. It’s a relatively lightweight Fijian back row but the tight five has plenty of experience and is likely to have the edge in the scrum. In the backs, there is an obvious disparity in attacking class. Canada will need to slow the ball down and win turnovers if they are to keep the scoreline respectable. Fiji are heavy favorites in Osaka.
FIJI
1 Peni Ravai, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (capt.), 3 Mesake Doge, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 6 Kitione Salava, 7 Motikiai Murray, 8 Isoa Tuwai, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11 Manasa Mataele, 12 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 14 Joji Nasova, 15 Isikeli Rabitu
Replacements: 16 Penaia Cakobau, 17 Meli Tuni, 18 Inoke Ravuiwasa, 19 Isoa Nasilasila, 20 Joseva Tamani, 21 Terio Tamani, 22 Caleb Muntz, 23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
CANADA
1 Sam Miller, 2 Dewald Kotze, 3 Kyle Steeves, 4 Daragh Doyle, 5 Izzak Kelly, 6 Mason Flesch, 7 Sion Parry, 8 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 9 Jason Higgins, 10 Spencer Jones, 11 Jamie Armstrong, 12 Ben LeSage, 13 Jacob Ince, 14 Kyle Tremblay, 15 Takoda McMullin
Replacements: 16 Austin Creighton, 17 Emerson Prior, 18 Bryce Worden, 19 Barnaby Waddell, 20 Ethan Fryer, 21 Stephen Webb, 22 Cooper Coats, 23 Jason McIndoe
Date: Saturday, September 12
Venue: Hanazono Stadium, Osaka
Kickoff: 16:00 local (03:00 Eastern, midnight Pacific)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 86°F (30°C), humidex 93°F (34°C), wind NE 4-6mph (6-9km/h)
Broadcasts: TSN 4 (Canada), RugbyPass TV
Referee: Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
Assistants: Koki Yamauchi (Japan) & Ibuki Tetsuka (Japan)
TMO: Graham Cooper (Australia)
HEAD-TO-HEAD (13): Fiji 10, Canada 3
Date
Match Result & Score
Location
Tournament
2025-09-14
Canada 10, Fiji 63
Denver, USA
Pacific Nations Cup Semi-Final
2019-08-03
Fiji 38, Canada 13
Suva, FJ
Pacific Nations Cup
2017-11-25
Canada 17, Fiji 57
Narbonne, FR
Autumn Internationals
2015-09-06
Canada 18, Fiji 47
London, UK
World Cup Warm-up
2013-06-05
Canada 20, Fiji 18
Ottawa, CA
Pacific Nations Cup
2007-09-16
Canada 16, Fiji 29
Cardiff, UK
Rugby World Cup
2001-07-03
Canada 23, Fiji 52
Tokyo, JP
Pacific Rim Championship
2000-07-07
Canada 11, Fiji 42
Apia, WS
Pacific Rim Championship
1999-10-09
Canada 22, Fiji 38
Bordeaux, FR
Rugby World Cup
1999-05-15
Canada 29, Fiji 40
Vancouver, CA
Pacific Rim Championship
1995-04-08
Canada 22, Fiji 10
Nadi, FJ
Mid-Year Test (Friendly)
1991-10-05
Canada 13, Fiji 3
Bayonne, FR
Rugby World Cup
1990-05-19
Canada 12, Fiji 16
Christchurch, NZ
National Mutual Championship
