[REVISION HISTORY]

2026 Pacific Nations Cup rugby preparations

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2026-09-06 07:35 UTC → 2026-09-11 16:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Rugby Canada announced a 32-man roster for the 2026 Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup, a tournament featuring Canada, Japan, Fiji, and the United States. The competition schedule includes a warm-up match against Japan in Niigata, followed by a semi-final against Fiji in Osaka, and concluding with final matches in Tokyo. Ahead of the tournament, Canada and Japan were scheduled to play a preparation match in Niigata. Canada entered the fixture missing several key players, including Tyler Ardron, Evan Olmstead, and Andrew Quattrin, while seeking its first victory against Japan since May 2005. Japan intended to use the match as a tune-up for their upcoming game against the USA, fielding a mostly first-choice lineup that included Fijian winger Inoke Burua, who was set to make his full test debut. In the resulting Lipovitan D Challenge Cup match at Denka Big Swan Stadium, Japan secured a dominant 57-12 victory over Canada. The match, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Japan Rugby Football Union, marked the first time Niigata has hosted an international rugby test in 18 years. Japan scored nine tries, including two from Mamoru Harada, while Inoke Burua made his international debut. Canada, hampered by a depleted roster and a late injury to flyhalf Cooper Coats, managed only two tries through Takoda McMullin and Ben LeSage. While the win broke a four-match losing streak for Japan, captain Naoto Saito noted that the team had not yet reached their desired standards, citing errors in game management. The ~~result serves as further preparation for the~~ 2026 Pacific Nations ~~Cup, where Japan~~ Cup is ~~scheduled~~ set to ~~face the United States~~ begin this Saturday with a knockout format. The tournament opens with a semifinal between defending champion Fiji and Canada at Hanazono Stadium in Osaka. The second semifinal will ~~face Fiji.~~ feature host nation Japan against the United States.

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