Japan vs Fiji Pacific Nations Cup preview: Lineups and predictions

Home team	Japan
Away team	Fiji
Venue	Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium
Competition	Pacific Nations Cup
Kick-off time	11:05 am (UK)
Watch Live in the UK	RugbyPass TV

Japan vs Fiji Pacific Nations Cup preview as the sides meet in the Pacific Nations Cup final. Fihi currently sit number nine in the World Rankings, while Japan sit at number 12.

Read more match previews here

Japan vs Fiji confirmed lineups

Japan			Fiji
Forwards
Otsuka		1		Ravai
Harada		2		Ikanivere
Takeuchi		3		Doge
Cornelsen		4		Vocevoce
Hockings		5		Mayanavanua
Gunter		6		Salawa
Shimokawa		7		Murray
Makisi		8		Canaikaivata
Backs
Saito		9		Lomani
Ito		10		Muntz
Osada		11		Mataele
Hirose		12		Samusamuvodre
Riley		13		Vakatawa
Burua		14		Nasova
Greene		15		Armstrong-Ravula
Replacements
Sato		16		Tagivetaua
Kimura		17		Nairau
Inaba		18		Tawake
Stolberg		19		Tuwai
Haangana		20		Cakobau
Costley		21		Wyei
Fujiwara		22		Rabitu
Tua		23		Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Lineup changes:

J: Makisi comes in at number eight, with Cornelsen shifting into the second row. Osada starts on the wing.

F: Canakaivata starting at eight is the only change in the pack. Muntz comes in at 10, while Armstrong-Ravula moves to 15. Samusamuvodre comes in at 12.

Recent Form:

Japan (Home team): 

Result	Date	Competition	Opponent	Score
Won	12th September 2026	Pacific Nations Cup	USA Eagles	63-14
Won	5th September 2026	Test	Canada	57-12
Loss	15th August 2026	Test	Wallabies	56-17
Loss	8th August 2026	Test	Wallabies	32-35
Loss	18th July 2026	Rugby Nations Champions	France	15-42

Japan picked up a huge victory over the USA and won 63-14. They got off to a flying start and were 28-0 ahead after 16 minutes. The Eagles scored both of their tries before 34 minutes and five more tries throught the rest of the game would make Japan the comfortable winner.

Fiji (Away team): 

Result	Date	Competition	Opponent	Score
Won	12th September 2026	Pacific Nations Cup	Canada	45-29
Loss	18th July 2026	Rugby Nations Championship	Scotland	17-33
Loss	11th July 2026	Rugby Nations Championship	Fiji	8-73
Loss	4th July 2026	Rugby Nations Championship	Wales	24-39
Won	22nd November 2025	Friendly	Spain	33-41

Fiji got back to winning ways after three losses in a row of the Rugby Nations Championship. They scored seven tries as they defeated Canada 45-29. The big shift in the scores came early in the first half, where Fiji scored three tries between 45 and 60 minutes. 

Japan vs Fiji head-to-head record (last five matches):

Date	Competition	Winner	Score
21st September 2025	Pacific Nations Cup	Fiji	27-33
21st September 2024	Pacific Nations Cup	Fiji	41-17
5th August 2023	Test	Fiji	12-35
27th July 2019	Pacific Nations Cup	Japan	21-34
26th November 2016	Test	Fiji	38-25

Fiji have won the last three meetings between these sides but the score gap narrowed last year by only six points. 

Predictions

• Fiji to win
• 9+ tries in the game
• Margin of victory by 14 points or less