The Pacific Nations Cup final proved too tall of a peak for a young Japan side in Osaka, falling to a Flying Fijians squad who lived up to their name in a 41-17 title-winning effort.
“Japan has been very fast in the first 20 minutes. We tried to contain that with physicality,” said Fiji's captain, hooker Tevita Ikanivere.
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.
Four of the Pacific's heavyweights are set to collide in Osaka on Saturday in a doubleheader that will decide the Pacific Nations Cup podium.
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.
Samoa and the USA were each dismissed in their semi-finals and will head to Osaka to fight it out for third place before the grand final sees the two heavyweights Fiji and Japan tussle for gold.
Two days prior to the match, the biggest surprise during the lineup announcement was moving Seungsin Lee, who had consistently been used at fly-half, to fullback.
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.