Pacific Nations Cup 2026 – Fiji vs Canada – ARN Guide

Canada continues their Japan tour against Fiji on Saturday in what will act as a Semi Final for an abbreviated Pacific Nations Cup. It’s 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.

FORM GUIDE

Current World Ranking: 9 (78.00 points)
2026-07-18 – Scotland 33, Fiji 17 (Edinburgh)
2026-07-11 – England 73, Fiji 8 (Liverpool)
2026-07-04 – Wales 39, Fiji 24 (Cardiff)
2025-11-22 – Spain 33, Fiji 41 (Malaga)
2025-11-15 – France 34, Fiji 21 (Bordeaux)

Current World Ranking: 24 (60.37 points)
2026-09-05 – Japan 57, Canada 12 (Niigawa)
2026-07-18 – Canada 23, Zimbabwe 19 (Winnipeg)
2026-07-11 – Canada 14, Portugal 38 (Edmonton)
2026-07-04 – Canada 42, Spain 42 (Edmonton)
2026-11-22 – Portugal 33, Canada 27 (Coimbra)

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

	IN	OUT
1	Peni Ravai	Eroni Mawi
3	Mesake Doge	Samu Tawake
4	Mesake Vocevoce	Isoa Nasilasila
6	Kitione Salawa	Pita-Gus Sowakula
7	Motikiai Murray	Lekima Tagitagivalu
8	Isoa Tuwai	Elia Canakaivata
11	Manasa Mataele	Jiuta Wainiqolo
12	Kalaveti Ravouvou	Josua Tuisova
14	Joji Nasova	Selestino Ravutaumada
15	Isikeli Rabitu	Caleb Muntz

	IN	OUT
2	Dewald Kotze	Foster DeWitt
9	Jason Higgins	Jesse Kilgour
11	Jamie Armstrong	Liam James
13	Jacob Ince	Isaac Olson

NOTES

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

QUOTES

Senirusi Seruvakula (Head Coach)

“We have four debutants in the team with two of them coming from the Fijian Drua camp – Isoa Tuwai and Penaia Cakobau stepping up – 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”

Steve Meehan (Head Coach)

“We’ve 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.”

“The key message against teams like Fiji is always to expect the unexpected. We must remain diligent and disciplined with our defensive game.”

PREDICTION

Hot and humid conditions are expected at kickoff, which surely favors the Pacific Islanders. It’s 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.

TEAMS

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

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

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

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

MATCH INFO

Date: Saturday, September 12
Venue: Hanazono Stadium, Osaka
Kickoff: 16:00 local (03:00 Eastern, midnight Pacific)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 86°F (30°C), humidex 93°F (34°C), wind NE 4-6mph (6-9km/h)
Broadcasts: TSN 4 (Canada), RugbyPass TV

OFFICIALS

Referee: Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
Assistants: Koki Yamauchi (Japan) & Ibuki Tetsuka (Japan)
TMO: Graham Cooper (Australia)

HISTORY

HEAD-TO-HEAD (13):  Fiji 10, Canada 3