After two physical battles against Pacific brothers Tonga and Samoa, Flying Fijians prepare themselves for a different type of challenge against a plucky Japan side in the Pacific Nations Cup this Saturday.
Fiji successfully overcame Tonga 36-20 in the first round before accounting for Samoa 33-19 in their second match.
Fiji has all but secured the Pacific Nations Cup and a losing bonus point would be enough to secure the title for the Simon Raiwalui coached side.
Raiwalui said Japan would bring a different style of game and his side was preparing accordingly.
“We know Japan are a very good team,” Raiwalui said.
“They play very high tempo rugby, very organised so we are looking forward to the next challenge.”
The former national captain said his team was still in the preparation phase and the priorities remained the same.
“We are still working on everything. We are still in the preparation phase.
“We have been working hard on our fitness, our clarity. So yeah, we still have the same priorities, and we are working on those.”
Japan and Fiji have met on 18 occasions dating back to 1990.
Fiji have won 14 and Japan four.
The last time the two teams met was in 2019 when Japan beat Fiji 34-21.
The highest-scoring win for Fiji was 47-22 in 2000, while the biggest winning margin was 28 points in the 41-13 win at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
The longest winning sequence for Fiji is nine wins between 1999 and 2010.
Of the 18 tests played, eight have been played in Japan, six games have been played in Fiji and four have been played on the neutral territory of Townsville in Australia during the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Toulouse in France during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Toronto during the 2015 PNC and Vannes in France in 2016.
The Flying Fijians play Japan at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium at 10.15pm this Saturday.
SOURCE:FIJI TIMES/PACNEWS
