{"id":888376,"date":"2026-09-11T17:16:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T17:16:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/888376\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T17:16:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T17:16:18","slug":"pacific-nations-cup-2026-fiji-vs-canada-arn-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/888376\/","title":{"rendered":"Pacific Nations Cup 2026 – Fiji vs Canada – ARN Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Canada continues their Japan tour against Fiji on Saturday in what will act as a Semi Final for an abbreviated Pacific Nations Cup. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"\" Current World Ranking: 9<\/a> (78.00 points)
2026-07-18 \u2013 Scotland 33, Fiji 17 (Edinburgh)
2026-07-11 \u2013 England 73, Fiji 8 (Liverpool)
2026-07-04 \u2013 Wales 39, Fiji 24 (Cardiff)
2025-11-22 \u2013 Spain 33, Fiji 41 (Malaga)
2025-11-15 \u2013 France 34, Fiji 21 (Bordeaux)<\/p>\n

\"\" Current World Ranking: 24<\/a> (60.37 points)
2026-09-05 \u2013 Japan 57, Canada 12 (Niigawa)
2026-07-18 \u2013 Canada 23,\u00a0Zimbabwe 19\u00a0(Winnipeg)
2026-07-11 \u2013 Canada 14, Portugal 38\u00a0(Edmonton)
2026-07-04 \u2013 Canada 42, Spain 42\u00a0(Edmonton)
2026-11-22 \u2013 Portugal 33,\u00a0Canada 27 (Coimbra)<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nIN
\nOUT<\/p>\n

1
\nPeni Ravai
\nEroni Mawi<\/p>\n

3
\nMesake Doge
\nSamu Tawake<\/p>\n

4
\nMesake Vocevoce
\nIsoa Nasilasila<\/p>\n

6
\nKitione Salawa
\nPita-Gus Sowakula<\/p>\n

7
\nMotikiai Murray
\nLekima Tagitagivalu<\/p>\n

8
\nIsoa Tuwai
\nElia Canakaivata<\/p>\n

11
\nManasa Mataele
\nJiuta Wainiqolo<\/p>\n

12
\nKalaveti Ravouvou
\nJosua Tuisova<\/p>\n

14
\nJoji Nasova
\nSelestino Ravutaumada<\/p>\n

15
\nIsikeli Rabitu
\nCaleb Muntz<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nIN
\nOUT<\/p>\n

2
\nDewald Kotze
\nFoster DeWitt<\/p>\n

9
\nJason Higgins
\nJesse Kilgour<\/p>\n

11
\nJamie Armstrong
\nLiam James<\/p>\n

13
\nJacob Ince
\nIsaac Olson<\/p>\n

the Fijians were decisive winners in last year\u2019s PNC collision, with the last Canadian success in the head-to-head played at Ottawa in 2013
\nboth teams are missing top players as this year\u2019s tournament is not included in World Rugby\u2019s international release window
\nFiji have named four new caps in their squad\u2026 Drua back row Isoa Tuwai gets the nod at No8\u2026 and on the bench Drua hooker Penaia Cakobau is joined by tighthead prop Inoke Ravuiwasa, who recently agreed a move to the Drua\u2026 Sevens star Terio Tamani gets his first look in the Fiji XVs setup
\nOutside center Virimi Vakatawa is one of five starters who also ran out against Scotland in July\u2026 the 34-year-old wins his second Fiji cap, having previously made 31 appearances for France
\nnew Rotherham signing Dewald Kotze and Cork Constitution scrumhalf Jason Higgins add experience to the Canadian lineup\u2026 it\u2019s the second test start for midfielder Jacob Ince, and the first for wing Jamie Armstrong who debuted as a replacement against Japan last week
\napart from Higgins and fullback Takoda McMullin, none of the Canadian backline are in their preferred positions\u2026 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<\/p>\n

\"\" Senirusi Seruvakula<\/a> (Head Coach)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have four debutants in the team with two of them coming from the Fijian Drua camp \u2013 Isoa Tuwai and Penaia Cakobau stepping up \u2013 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\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" Steve Meehan<\/a>\u00a0(Head Coach)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe key message against teams like Fiji is always to expect the unexpected. We must remain diligent and disciplined with our defensive game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hot and humid conditions are expected at kickoff, which surely favors the Pacific Islanders. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"
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<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

\"\"
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<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Date: Saturday, September 12
Venue: Hanazono Stadium, Osaka
Kickoff: 16:00 local (03:00 Eastern, midnight Pacific)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 86\u00b0F (30\u00b0C), humidex 93\u00b0F (34\u00b0C), wind NE 4-6mph (6-9km\/h)
Broadcasts: TSN 4<\/a>\u00a0(Canada), RugbyPass TV<\/a><\/p>\n

Referee: Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
Assistants: Koki Yamauchi (Japan) & Ibuki Tetsuka (Japan)
TMO: Graham Cooper (Australia)<\/p>\n

HEAD-TO-HEAD (13): \"\"\u00a0Fiji 10, \"\" Canada 3<\/p>\n

Date
\nMatch Result & Score
\nLocation
\nTournament<\/p>\n

2025-09-14
\nCanada 10, Fiji 63
\nDenver, USA
\nPacific Nations Cup Semi-Final<\/p>\n

2019-08-03
\nFiji 38, Canada 13
\nSuva, FJ
\nPacific Nations Cup<\/p>\n

2017-11-25
\nCanada 17, Fiji 57
\nNarbonne, FR
\nAutumn Internationals<\/p>\n

2015-09-06
\nCanada 18, Fiji 47
\nLondon, UK
\nWorld Cup Warm-up<\/p>\n

2013-06-05
\nCanada 20, Fiji 18
\nOttawa, CA
\nPacific Nations Cup<\/p>\n

2007-09-16
\nCanada 16, Fiji 29
\nCardiff, UK
\nRugby World Cup<\/p>\n

2001-07-03
\nCanada 23, Fiji 52
\nTokyo, JP
\nPacific Rim Championship<\/p>\n

2000-07-07
\nCanada 11, Fiji 42
\nApia, WS
\nPacific Rim Championship<\/p>\n

1999-10-09
\nCanada 22, Fiji 38
\nBordeaux, FR
\nRugby World Cup<\/p>\n

1999-05-15
\nCanada 29, Fiji 40
\nVancouver, CA
\nPacific Rim Championship<\/p>\n

1995-04-08
\nCanada 22, Fiji 10
\nNadi, FJ
\nMid-Year Test (Friendly)<\/p>\n

1991-10-05
\nCanada 13, Fiji 3
\nBayonne, FR
\nRugby World Cup<\/p>\n

1990-05-19
\nCanada 12, Fiji 16
\nChristchurch, NZ
\nNational Mutual Championship<\/p>\n

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