Josh Matavesi scored 17 points and lock Tevita Cavubati grabbed his first Test try as Wales’ Rugby World Cup opponents’ set-up a return clash with Samoa in the final. The two teams fought out a 30-30 draw in their earlier meeting.
But Japan almost caused an upset with a late fight back as they took full advantage of the three yellow cards priced up by Fiji in the second half. In the end, the Fijians were reduced to 13 men for the final five minutes when forwards Leone Nakarawa and Campese Ma’afu went to the sin-bi.
Japan raced into a 9-0 lead with three penalties from the boot of Ayumu Goromaru, but then Fiji hit back with 24 unanswered points to take full control.
Both Cavubati and Matavesi crossed for tries and wing Metuisela Talebula added a third. Matavesi converted all three and kicked a penalty.
But a yellow card for prop Manasa Saulo within minutes of the restart gave Japan hope of a comeback and they scored eight points while he was off the field. Akihito Yamada scored a try and Goromaru added a fourth penalty with 30 minutes to go.
Matavesi then kicked a penalty to make it 27-17 before a try from Japanese No 8 Hendrik Tui set up an exciting last 12 minutes. The yellow cards added to the drama and excitement, but the Fijian defence managed to hold firm under intense pressure and claim a place in the final.
“We started off well in the first-half, but we had discipline issues in the second. The boys dug in and we managed to come out with a win,” Fiji captain Akapusi Qera told World Rugby.
“It was a good game to be a part of – it’s always a close game against the Japanese. Their pack is one of the best in the world and now we will have to go back and look at some of our mistakes and work towards next week.”
The Samoans needed a try on the stroke of full-time by Sakaria Taulafo to snatch a 21-20 victory over Canada, the replacement prop catching a loose ball off a ricochet from a lineout to dive over and secure the final place.
