Japan overcame a second-half red card to secure a 36-20 victory over Uruguay at Chambéry Savoie Stadium on Saturday.
Japan hosted New Zealand with the chance to make a statement under returning head coach Eddie Jones, but what was a promising start soon fizzled out as the All Blacks ran away with a huge winning margin.
While Japan showcased flashes of their signature Cho-soku rugby in the first half, the second half saw a clinical Fijian side take control, dominating Japan’s defence.
Japan head coach Eddie Jones has adopted the classic 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' motto in his selections for the Pacific Nations Cup final against Fiji.
Fans were lined up outside the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium before the gates had even opened on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Tokyo
Driven by a strong desire to reach the finals on home soil, Japan emerged victorious once again with a score of 49-27.
Head coach Eddie Jones has enjoyed consistency of selection thus far in Japan's Pacific Nations Cup campaign and has opted to stick to the tried and true for his side's semi-final contest with Manu Samoa.
Japan’s match against the USA could easily be dubbed Riley's Day. With his stellar performance both in try assists and scoring, Dylan Riley was a force to be reckoned with.
In their Pacific Nations Cup opener, Japan defeated the USA 41-24 at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, showcasing strong performances from key players like Dylan Riley and Harumichi Tatekawa.