Fiji tops US to reach Pacific Nations Cup final

By The Associated Press

Fiji's Frank Lomani, center, scores try against Cory Daniel of the U.S, during the semifinal of the Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.(AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Shuji Kajiyama]

TOKYO (AP) — Fiji has stretched its Pacific Nations Cup rugby defense to the final after topping the United States by a hard-fought 22-3 in Tokyo. The U.S. started and finished well but wasn’t clinical. Fiji dominated the second and third quarters to put their first meeting in 10 years beyond doubt in a humid Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Fiji scored three tries, two to No. 8 Elia Canakaivala. Japan and Samoa meet in the second semifinal in the same stadium on Sunday to decide who plays Fiji in the final next weekend in Osaka.