14 Jul 2011

Sport: Japan win Pacific Nations Cup

10:17 am on 14 July 2011

Japan have beaten Fiji to win their maiden Pacific Nations Cup rugby title.

The Brave Blossoms needed a four-try bonus-point victory to overtake Tonga in the competition standings and got it in stoppage time through Yuta Imamura.

The two teams had finished level for overall points in the tournament but Japan won due to their 28-27 victory over the Ikale Tahi on Saturday.

The Flying Fijians finished the match with only 12 men after receiving two red and three yellow cards during the match.

Sisa Koyamaibole was sent off for dangerous play in the first half with centre Seru Rabeni given his marching orders after the break for a high tackle.

Coach Samu Domoni says his team's ill discipline was unacceptable and let them down.

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