Pacific Nations Cup Final: Japan Dethrone Fiji
Japan 20 – 15 Fiji
Pacific Nations Cup Final, Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo, September 19, 2026. Japan's fourth PNC title, first since 2019. Fiji denied a third successive crown.
Try scorers: Japan: Mamoru Harada (22), Ben Gunter (58), Samisoni Tua (72, replacement). Sam Greene 1 penalty. Fiji: Virimi Vakatawa (10), Tevita Ikanivere (before half-time). Caleb Muntz 1 conversion. Half-time: 12-10 to Fiji.
The match: Sam Greene opened the scoring with a penalty in the sixth minute but Fiji responded when Vakatawa used his strength to beat several defenders and score from close range in the 10th minute. A yellow card for Fiji prop Mesake Doge gave Japan a numerical advantage, which they used to score through Harada in the 22nd minute, but Ikanivere scored from a lineout move before half-time to put Fiji 12-10 ahead at the break. Ben Gunter stormed over in the 58th minute to give Japan a 15-12 lead, only for Armstrong-Ravula to level at 15-15 with a penalty. Substitute Tua then had the last word, barging over in the 72nd minute to seal Japan's win. Ben Gunter was named Player of the Match.
Eddie Jones said: "We have been beaten in the final the last two years and to win at home, with a great crowd here, is good for the team's development." Canada beat USA 19-16 in the bronze final.
LIPPY'S VIEW
As the commentator said at the half-time whistle, this match was intense, unrelenting, enthralling and uncompromising. I could not agree more. A really fun, competitive and fast-paced match with two of the most entertaining teams in world rugby. Japan played with devastating physical defense, quick ball, running from everywhere, but with world-class set piece. They dominated Fiji in the lineouts, with Eddie Jones having brought in a host of 6'8" plus Australian transplants. Their scrummaging was world-class, and Fiji had to make twice as many tackles as Japan. Eddie Jones has clearly unlocked the best that Japanese players are renowned for and built a foundation of world-class back-row and tight-five players. Even without world-class captain Warner Dearns, the pack led by Thai-born, 6'5", 265 pound No. 6 Australian Ben Gunter was exceptional.
NPC: Round 8 Results
Otago 50 – 21 Counties Manukau
Thursday Sept 17. Otago dominant with a bonus-point win.
Auckland 24 – 22 Tasman
Friday Sept 18. Auckland edge a tight contest.
Bay of Plenty 32 – 17 Hawke's Bay
Friday Sept 18. The result of the round. Bay of Plenty upset the NPC leaders in Rotorua, just the second loss of the season for Hawke's Bay.
Waikato 36 – 27 Manawatu
Friday Sept 18. Waikato claim a bonus-point win.
Northland 52 – 28 Wellington
Saturday Sept 19. Northland retain the Ranfurly Shield with a dominant bonus-point win. Wellington's losing run continues.
Canterbury 24 – 25 North Harbour
Sunday Sept 20. North Harbour claim a dramatic one-point win in Christchurch, moving to fourth on the table with 31 points.
Taranaki 55 – 19 Southland
Sunday Sept 20. Taranaki score seven tries in a commanding win.
Three-way tie at the top: Hawke's Bay, Northland and Otago are all tied on 32 points after eight rounds, separated only by points difference. The result of the round was Bay of Plenty's upset of Hawke's Bay in Rotorua on Friday. Canterbury, despite losing to North Harbour on Sunday, stay fifth on 30 points. Northland retain the Ranfurly Shield with a dominant 52-28 win over Wellington, who remain the only winless side in the competition after eight rounds.
| NPC Standings After Round 8 (Top 8 of 14) | P | W | L | PD | B | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawke's Bay | 8 | 6 | 2 | +109 | 8 | 32 |
| Northland (RS) | 8 | 6 | 2 | +125 | 8 | 32 |
| Otago | 8 | 6 | 2 | +111 | 8 | 32 |
| North Harbour | 8 | 5 | 3 | +104 | 11 | 31 |
| Canterbury | 8 | 6 | 2 | +48 | 6 | 30 |
| Waikato | 8 | 4 | 4 | +15 | 8 | 24 |
| Taranaki | 8 | 4 | 4 | +27 | 7 | 23 |
| Tasman | 8 | 4 | 4 | -7 | 6 | 22 |
Northland (RS) = Ranfurly Shield holders. Three sides tied on 32 points at the top. Top 8 of 14 shown; top 8 qualify for playoffs. Full standings at npc.rugby.
Top 14: Early Standings After Round 3
Castres 29 – 27 Toulon
Top 14 R3. Castres edge a tight contest against the nine-time European champions.
Bayonne 46 – 24 Clermont
Top 14 R3. Bayonne impressive with a bonus-point win.
Racing 92 20 – 10 La Rochelle
Top 14 R3. Racing 92 win away at La Rochelle, a notable early result.
Lyon 51 – 25 Pau
Top 14 R3. Lyon extend their lead with a commanding bonus-point win.
Montpellier 50 – 13 Perpignan
Top 14 R3. Montpellier put seven tries past Perpignan.
Bordeaux-Begles 40 – 10 Stade Francais
Top 14 R3. Bordeaux claim a bonus-point win to move third on the table.
Toulouse 29 – 23 Vannes
Top 14 R3. Toulouse win away despite being pushed hard by bottom-placed Vannes.
Lyon lead the Top 14 with a perfect three wins from three and 14 points. Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles are joint second on 10 points. Far too early to draw any firm conclusions, but Lyon and Bordeaux look sharp. RC Toulon are winless after three rounds.
| Top 14 After Round 3 (Top 8 of 14) | P | W | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyon | 3 | 3 | 0 | 14 |
| Toulouse | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Bordeaux-Begles | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Pau | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| Montpellier | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| Bayonne | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| Castres | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| La Rochelle | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
Top 8 of 14 shown. Three rounds played; far too early to draw conclusions. Full standings at lnr.fr.
Around the Grounds
The world's highest-paid rugby coaches: These are estimated figures from rugby media; none are officially confirmed by unions; treat them as informed approximations.
| Rank | Coach | Team | Est. (GBP) | Est. (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rassie Erasmus | South Africa | £850,000 | $1,080,000 |
| 2 | Andy Farrell | Ireland / Lions | £800,000 | $1,016,000 |
| 3 | Steve Borthwick | England | £700,000 | $889,000 |
| 4 | Eddie Jones | Japan | £650,000 | $826,000 |
| 5 | Fabien Galthie | France | £600,000 | $762,000 |
| 5 | Dave Rennie | New Zealand | £600,000 | $762,000 |
| 7 | Gregor Townsend | Scotland | £500,000 | $635,000 |
Erasmus is the highest-paid on these estimates, which seems appropriate given he has built the most dominant international side in the sport. Farrell's figure includes his Lions responsibilities. Borthwick at £700,000 represents a significant RFU investment for a coach whose future beyond the 2027 World Cup depends on results. Dave Rennie as All Blacks Head Coach at £600,000 is investment in one of the most storied sporting brands in the world at number two in the world rankings.
New Zealand Rugby's leaked financial document: A confidential NZR internal report projects combined losses of NZ$66 million from 2027 to 2031, including Lions 2029 revenue. NRL now attracts 28 million New Zealand viewing hours against Super Rugby's 19 million and the NPC's 14 million. The All Blacks are the only profitable entity in NZ rugby, projected at NZ$38 million for 2026. The Baltimore Test earned approximately NZ$9 million. David Kirk is leading the strategic review, with options due before the board in December.
LIPPY'S VIEW
With this being a major challenge facing one of the leading countries in world rugby, it shows what a tough road nascent rugby countries like the United States have ahead of them, with a disjointed youth and college structure, no clear pathways, no viable financial model and significant competition from all the major sports. Watching how far Japan has come is a testament to a system that has clear pathways, a clear understanding of the financial construct, with major companies embracing rugby and funding a league that attracts some of the best players in the world.
English Premiership kicks off Thursday: The 2026-27 Premiership season begins Thursday September 25, the 40th season of the competition and the first under a franchise model replacing automatic promotion and relegation with a criteria-based system. Defending champions are Northampton Saints. Results from next week.
Looking Ahead
Thursday September 25: English Premiership 2026-27 kicks off. Round 1.
Sunday September 27: Wallabies vs Springboks, Optus Stadium, Perth. Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate.
NPC Round 9 begins this week.
Saturday October 10: Bledisloe Cup Test 1. All Blacks vs Wallabies, Eden Park, Auckland. All Blacks need one win to retain; Wallabies must win both Tests.
Saturday October 17: Bledisloe Cup Test 2. Wallabies vs All Blacks, Accor Stadium, Sydney.
November 6-29: Nations Championship November window and Finals Weekend at Twickenham.