Fiji win, Canada lose

It was mixed fortunes in the Pacific Nations Cup at the weekend for Ospreys Josh Matavesi, Tyler Ardron and Jeff Hassler, as Fiji got off to a winning start but Canada lost.

 

Matavesi came off the bench as Fiji defeated Tonga 30-22 in Suva, while Canada, led by Ardron from number eight with Hassler on the wing, suffered a disappointing defeat at home to Japan, losing 6-20. 

Canada conceded over a dozen penalties, something Ardron said needs to be fixed ahead of next week’s clash with Tonga.

“Most of them were when we had ball in hand so it was very frustrating,” Ardron said.

“That’s how we want to play, ball in hand, so not being able to keep it and putting phases together to do what we’ve practiced all week is frustrating.”

Next up, on Friday, Fiji face Samoa in Sacramento while Canada play Tonga in Vancouver.