Eddie Jones reacts to losing Pacific Nations Cup final

Japan’s dream of a Pacific Nations Cup title came crashing down in a hurry after as tight of an opening hour as you could hope for in a tournament final.

A final-quarter Fijian onslaught saw the score go from 10 apiece to 41-10 in the space of 20 minutes before a consolation try, albeit an impressive one, from Japan’s Malo Tuitama, brought the game to a close.

Japan head coach Eddie Jones entered the post-match press conference with equal parts humility and assurance, using his opening statement to address his opponents’ achievement.

“Firstly, congratulations to Fiji,” he said after taking his seat in front of 50-odd Japanese media in Osaka. “They’re a great model for teams that have been outside the tier one on how to develop new talent.

“Most of those players have played for the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby and they’ve just developed a great depth and breadth in their squad.

“They played good, tough Test match rugby today. For my team, I’m really pleased with our effort today, but we’re not quite at that level. We know we’ve got to work harder and longer, and we’ll do that to reach the level we’re required to be at.

“I’m really pleased with the effort of our young players, but we’re not quite good enough at the moment.”

The coach repeated numerous times in the press conference that his eyes were firmly set on the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and had therefore been intentional with his selections of young talent for the tournament.

Jones emphasised his long-term strategy so many times that he ended up answering a follow-up question by replying “I don’t know what else you want me to say.”

The coach did provide insight into the areas he saw most growth in throughout the tournament.

“Under Haru’s leadership, they worked well together and became a lot more connected, so that’s really pleasing. There’s a developing culture within the team that’s really positive.

“And, from a rugby point of view, at times during the PNC I thought our attack was absolutely outstanding. So, that’s a positive for us. They’re two good areas of growth for us.”

A number of Japanese youngsters impressed throughout the tournament, not least of which was halfback Shinobu Fujiwara, who looked right at home in the international arena after entering the PNC with just two Test caps to his name.

“For a young halfback, I think he’s learning really well. Today was a testing game for him but I think he’ll learn a lot from today’s game but I think he’s come along really well.

“He’s quick around the ruck, he’s got a good pass, he’s got a running game that can get even better, so I think he’s done really well.”

The positives also include the aforementioned attack, which produced 40+ points in every game outside of the final thanks to high ball retention and a highly efficient attack, aided by a 90 per cent success rate off the kicking tee.

On the flip side, Jones was brutally honest about his team’s shortcomings in the final.

“I don’t think there’s an area of the game that we won. We didn’t win the set-piece contest, we didn’t win the breakdown contest, we didn’t win the aerial contest, so the point you’re making is 100 per cent right.

“We work really hard in that area but we just weren’t good enough today so we’ll continue to work hard and by 2027 we’ll be good enough. Today’s a good reminder of how far we are off the mark. As painful as it is, it’s the truth and we’ve just got to keep at it now.”

While it is a young Japan team, it was Fiji who owned the younger average age across the squad. Lastly, Jones was asked to assess his side’s timeline and how far along he sees them as being compared to his expectations at the beginning of the international season.

“The problem with answering this question is that it’s always based on results. And, based on results, we’re not where we need to be. But, based on the effort of the players and the title bits and pieces I’ve seen, we’re probably ahead of where I thought we’d be.”