With the results from the Pacific Nations Cup, we now know how the Finals Weekend will go in Salt Lake City.
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A fast, exciting Japan Brave Blossoms side held off a tenacious and hard-hitting Tonga Sea Eagles side 62-24 to advance to the PNC. This game was by no means a foregone conclusion as Tonga scored first and also scored right at the end of the first half to trail by only two points at the break, 21-19. Even midway through the second half, Tonga was close, as it was 41-24 with less than 20 minutes to go.
But it is very difficult to chase Japan and an explsion of tries late in the game put it away.
Japan 62
Tries: Era, Fakatava, Dearns, Riley, Fujiwara, Sato Temfusa, Penalty Try
Convs: Lee 7, Penalty Try
Pens: Lee 2
Tonga 24
Tries: Lokotui, Tameifuna, Poloniati, Tapueluelu
Convs: Pellegrini
Fiji blew away Canada 63-10 in the other semifinal.
Kalaveti Ravouvou scored three tries for Fiji as they ran about a point per minute through the first half.
Canada did not have an answer to Fiji's speed of play.
Fiji 63
Tries: Rakuro 2, Vocevoce, Waqa, Ravouvou 3, Mawi, Nasova
Convs: Valetini 6
Pens: Valetini 2
Canada 10
Tries: Gallagher
Convs: Nelson
Pens: Nelson
