14 Jul 2011

Sports: Japanese pip Tonga to seal Pacific Nations Cup

8:06 am on 14 July 2011

Japan have won rugby's Pacific Nations Cup with a try in stoppage time against Fiji, who were down to 12 men through two red cards and one yellow.

Coming into the match at Fiji's Churchill Park requiring a four try bonus point victory to win the tournament for the first time, Japan won 22-13.

Tonga finished level with the Cherry Blossoms for overall points in the tournament but miss out on claiming their first Pacific Nations title due to a 28-27 defeat by the Japanese last week.

Earlier in the day, Tonga beat Samoa 29-19 in their final Cup match, also in Lautoka.