World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup: Canada suffers a heavy defeat 

Canada (Commonwealth) _ Japan humiliated Canada’s men’s rugby team 55–28 in the opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup on Sunday. Malo Tuitama’s score in the fourth minute gave the swift, unstoppable Brave Blossoms the lead.

For Japan, which is ranked 14th, Warner Dearns scored twice. Other tries were scored by Dylan Riley, Tomoki Osada, Kani Shimokawa, and Seungsin Lee. In the triumph, Lee also kicked six conversions and a penalty.

Canada, rated No. 21, was represented by twins Talon and Takoda McMullin, Andrew Coe, Lucas Rumball, and Peter Nelson, who contributed four conversions. On August 31, the Canadians will play the United States in Carson, California, to continue the competition.

On September 14 and 15, both teams will travel to Tokyo, Japan, for the semifinals and fifth-place match. In Osaka, the title game and the third-place contest are scheduled for September 21.

Just four minutes into the game on Sunday, Tuitama blasted through the Canadian line and sprinted in for a try, giving Japan a quick lead. The visitors took a 7-0 advantage when Lee scored their first conversion of the match.

After three minutes, Dearns maneuvered through the crowd and made contact, increasing the Brave Blossoms’ lead to 12-0. In response, Canada’s offense advanced far into scoring zone but was unable to complete. Japan increased the margin of victory in the 22nd minute.

Nic Benn of Canada missed a tackle, which allowed Yoshitaka Yazaki to pass to Shimokawa, who touched to put the Japanese ahead 19-0. The score was increased to 24-0 in the 26th minute by a penalty kick and an additional conversion by Lee.

In the twenty-eighth minute, Dearns scored his second try of the day after dodging several Canadian tackles. After carefully examining the footage of the previous ruck, the referees declared the try successful. Lee then booted another conversion, putting Japan ahead 31-0.

Just as the game had resumed, Japan increased the damage. Nicholas Mccurran of Japan got past the Canadian defense and passed the ball to Riley as he was being carried to the ground.  In the 31st minute, Riley raced down the field for a try, and Lee’s conversion put Japan ahead 38 to 0.

After Jason Higgins booted a loose ball, the Canadians eventually scored before the break. After Coe tracked it down and jumped on top of it for a try, Nelson converted to close the gap between Canada and the opposition to 38-7.

Japan resumed their onslaught of attacks early in the second half. After three minutes, Dearns passed the ball to a teammate who was tackled by Cooper Coats of Canada right in front of the line. Lee gathered the ball and swung around the group to give it a shot.

At the opposing end of the field, Canada answered with a resolute effort.  Following a protracted sequence of rucks on the line, Rumball, the captain of Canada, made contact. At 46 minutes, Nelson kicked the conversion to cut Japan’s lead to 45-14.

Four minutes later, a line out gave the home team another goal. Talon McMullin received the ball from Andrew Quattrin, ducked under a Japanese defender, and raced in to touch before Nelson converted another conversion.

In the 68th minute, Canada gave over the ball, and Japan capitalized. The Brave Blossoms led 50–21 after Jone Naikabula grabbed it midfield and raced down the field, dodging flying tackles and jumping in over the line.

In the eighty-first minute, the Canadians increased their lead in the score.  Takoda McMullin got a hold on the ball after Nelson kicked it to score a try. Japan’s Tomoki Osada scored a try in the 82nd minute to make the score 55-28. The Canadian Press originally released this item on August 25, 2024.

An international rugby union match between Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Canada, Japan, and the United States is called the Pacific Nations Cup. The event, which debuted in 2006, aims to improve Tier 2 rugby teams by offering competitive test matches in an organized manner.

The Junior All Blacks (2006, 2007, 2009), Australia A (2007, 2008, 2015), Georgia (2018), and the Maori All Blacks (2008) are among the former teams.