Pacific Nations Cup Round 2 WRap

PNC Wrap - Round 2

It was AJ MacGinty day at ANZ National Stadium in Suva as America’s flyhalf scored in the second minute on a penalty strike, midway through the first forty on a grounding and his own conversion, and most importantly at the death, potting three for victory as USA Eagles edged Manu Samoa, 13-10, on Viti Levu today.

Cherry Creek Rugby’s Ben Pinkelman came on in relief of the US 8, Cam Dolan, early in the second stanza, while Dylan Fawsitt hooked with Joe Taufete’e presumably being rested for next week’s championship match v Brave Blossoms.

Fiji returned from last weekend’s loss to Japan with defeat of Canada at the ANZ, 38-13, in the subsequent Test. Flying Fijians and Edinburgh backrow lock, Vil Mata, opened accounts with a try at minute 8 and Glasgow Warriors threequarters, Niko Matawalu, came on for a leg-stretch at the hour mark. Canada trailed by six at the midpoint, 13-19, but 19 against with no reply in the last half meant the record.

Japan continued to steamroll its opposition with 41-7 victory over Tonga at Higashiosaka City. 16 for Brave Blossoms 10, Yu Tamura, on 5-and-2 struck from the Meiji University-educated standoff’s shoe as Japan now travel to Fiji for a date with destiny in the form of Test v USA Eagles for the 2019 Pacific Nations Cup trophy.