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Fiji beat Japan 34-28 in Jake White's first match

Published

Fiji edged Japan in a rain-affected Test in Tokyo on Saturday, a warm-up for the Nations Championship. Replacement Ben Volavola kicked two penalties after the break to decide the game, and the match marked 100 years of the Japan Rugby Football Union.

Jake White, the former South Africa World Cup-winning coach, is the new Fiji coach. He is 62 years old. Eddie Jones coaches Japan.

Naoto Saito scored an early try for Japan. Fiji player Motikai Murray received a yellow card, which officials later upgraded to red. Warner Dearns captained Japan and Tevita Ikanivere captained Fiji.

The result reverses the Pacific Nations Cup final a month earlier, when Japan beat Fiji 20-15.

Key facts

Who
Jake White (new Fiji coach, former South Africa World Cup-winning coach); Eddie Jones (Japan coach); Ben Volavola (Fiji replacement who kicked two penalties); Warner Dearns (Japan captain)
What
Fiji edged Japan 34-28 in a rain-affected match in Tokyo, a warm-up for the Nations Championship, marking the 100th anniversary of the Japan Rugby Football Union. Ben Volavola kicked two penalties after the break to decide the game.
When
24 October 2026
Where
Tokyo, Japan, Fiji
Status
Final result

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